Grants Search
As part of its contribution to advancing the economic prosperity of the district, Breckland Council is delighted to provide Breckland4Business which will help local businesses to search for sources of funding including grants, loans, awards and other support schemes.
"The UK Government and European Union provide business support funding for a wide range of business activities, and many of these schemes are available to businesses in Breckland".
Click on the logo below to go straight to Breckland 4 Business
Eligibility for individual schemes depends on the nature of your business and the activities or projects you are engaged in.
'Breckland 4 Business' enables you to search for schemes available in Breckland that match your business profile.
Getting a Grant
- Identify the potential projects you plan to undertake which might attract a grant: for example, training, innovation, relocation or job creation.
- Contact sources of information on grants you might qualify for: for example, your Business Link, your trade association and grants websites.
- For large projects and grants, consider using a consultant; check their track record and negotiate their responsibilities and fees carefully.
- Identify the key constraints of potential grants: how much funding you will need to provide and what the project must achieve (eg new jobs).
- Contact the administrator of appropriate schemes for guidance on what funds are available, whether you might qualify and how to apply.
- Assess whether it is worth applying: consider your chances of success, the time and effort of the application, and when you might get the grant.
- Establish timescales; check whether undertaking any preliminary work on the project will adversely affect your chances of receiving a grant.
- Submit an application, typically including a project description and plan, how it matches the scheme's objectives, and costings.
- For some schemes, be prepared to submit a more detailed application if you get preliminary approval.
- Sell your project: emphasise the project's benefits, why you need the grant, and how your background and expertise will make it a success.
- Wait for the decision.
- Check any conditions the grant provider imposes: for example, how the money can be spent and what records you must keep.
- Check the payment schedule and plan your cashflow and financing to cope with any payments made in arrears.
Cardinal Rules
Do:
- identify planned projects which might qualify
- get preliminary information on relevant schemes
- assess your chances of success before investing in the application
- prepare a detailed project plan and costings
- explain how your project meets the scheme's objectives
Don't:
- take on unsuitable projects just because a grant is available
- underestimate the delay in obtaining support from some schemes
- ignore the need to plan project cashflow
© BHP Information Solutions Ltd, 2006. www.bhpinfosolutions.co.uk
All rights reserved
Village Core Programme Grants
In an exciting new development, ViRSA, in partnership with the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Co-operative and Community Finance has announced the launch of the Village CORE Programme through which financial start-up packages of up to £40,000 per shop are available, to be complemented by contributions from the community and advice from ViRSA. The loan element of the package is provided by Co-operative and Community Finance, the longest established lender for social purpose in the UK.
Grants will be awarded to villages of at least 200 people which are planning to set up a community-owned shop, and the Village CORE Programme aims to see the number of these enterprises double over the next five years as a result. With several thousand rural settlements in Britain potentially suitable for community-owned shops, the possible social impact is considerable, and the village store looks set to be the CORE of the countryside for many years to come. Click on the links below for further information.
Introduction to the Programme
About the Programme
Green Funding
j4b have launched the first green funding website exclusively for businesses featuring more than £1.2 billion worth of green funding programmes on a free online searchable database. The Green Grants Machine has been developed to hlep private sector organisations access the latest information on the funding which is currently available to improve their environemntal performance and reduced their energy costs.
Visit www.greengrantsmachine.co.uk to find green funding for your business.
Loans
Foundation East is a not for profit organisation that operates across East Anglia. The Foundation lends money to new businesses, existing businesses, charities and social enterprises that cannot get a loan from a bank or require additional funds to match bank lending.
Tel: 01284 757777
Fax: 01284 719089
email: info@foundationeast.org
website: www.foundationeast.org
Links
|
