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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.

This week, we're focusing on current contracts from the councils, our UKSPF Expression of Interest form and the Net Zero Living Digital Accelerator funding.

We're also encouraging residents to shop locally with ShopAppy, and highlighting OxLEP's Visitor Economy workshop.

There are lots more opportunities, events and resources to get stuck into this week, but as always, if you'd like to suggest content for the SVBS newsletter, please get in touch with us.

- Team SVBS
The councils buy goods and services from a variety of contractors, ranging from someone who is self-employed to national organisations. To provide cost-effective services for our residents, the councils often operate a joint procurement process, and therefore award joint contracts.

The councils currently have the following contracts open for expressions of interest:
If you are interested in the above opprtunities, you will need to register on the South East Business Portal.
We recently secured £2 million from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which supports investment in communities to increase life chances, support organisations and increase people’s skills.

The funding is split equally between South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, with £1 million available per district. 

We are using this money to work towards tackling the climate emergency and to improve community and economic wellbeing.
With most of the funding available from 2024/25, we are now inviting organisations to pitch project ideas. This week, we are particularly interested in projects that may align with the following intervention:

Enterprise infrastructure and employment/innovation sites
£150,000 to cover 2024/25

Funding could be used to unlock enterprise and skills infrastructure and sites within the district to benefit a wider group of communities and enable more residents to have access to local enterprise facilities. 
To complete this form, you will need to provide: 
  • a brief outline of what your project will involve, how it will deliver the project requirements, and what experience your organisation has in doing such work 

  • details of how your project will address our UKSPF priority areas and interventions 

  • details of any anticipated outputs and outcomes that your project will achieve 

  • an outline budget for your project 
Please note - by submitting your ideas, you are not committing to undertake the project, and we are not committed to funding it or to offer funding in this area.
Net Zero Living Digital Accelerator round 1 - funding available

UK registered businesses can now apply for a share of up to £1.5 million from Innovate UK to develop digital applications to solve challenges in delivering net zero for places.

The aim of this competition is to support ambitious, early stage, digital focused businesses in developing and delivering net zero in relation to challenges based on place. This must be done through data driven digital applications and by collaborating with potential customers and product users.

Your proposal must focus on two or more net zero challenges across:

  • Power
  • Heat
  • Mobility
  • Product manufacture and usage
The competition closes on Wednesday 7 June 2023 11am.

Further information can be found on the Government's website.
Support our local businesses with ShopAppy

ShopAppy is a 'Shop & Support Local' website, making it easier than ever for people to browse, book and buy from their local businesses.

Businesses in Abingdon, Botley, Didcot, Faringdon, Henley, Thame, Wallingford and Wantage are now live on ShopAppy.

As well as supporting local businesses to sign up to the scheme, we're encouraging residents within the districts to use the platform to shop locally and support our high street businesses.

Shopping locally supports the economy, creates jobs for local people and offers a shopping experience you just won't get when spending with online retail giants.

Shop with your favourite businesses through the ShopAppy website here. 
Oxon Visitor Economy Destination Management Plan Stakeholder Workshop

The visitor economy is hugely important to Oxfordshire. It's worth around £2.5 billion per year, supporting around 42,000 jobs with over 30 million visits every 12 months (pre-pandemic). But to grow sustainably and make an even better contribution to local communities and businesses, a coherent and ambitious plan is needed.

OxLEP and Blue Sail Consulting are inviting you to a visitor economy stakeholder workshop to be held at the Courtyard Oxford South at Milton Park.

Thursday 18 May  |   9:30am - 11:30am

This will be a lively and engaging workshop during which you will be able to share your views on the emerging priorities, opportunities and challenges for developing the visitor economy across Oxfordshire. There will be some short presentations where Blue Sail will update you on work carried out to-date and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to have your say.

Register for the event via Eventbrite.

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