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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.

This week, we're focusing on our REPF and UKSPF funding, the Good Food Oxfordshire South and Vale meeting, Experience Oxfordshire's Spring into Summer campaign and the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

We're also highlighting shopping with South and Vale businesses via ShopAppy, current opportunities to sell to the councils and Jennings' 7 Steps to Net Zero event.

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
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have secured funding through the government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). The fund supports the aims of the government’s Levelling Up White Paper and Future Farming Programme. It funds capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure to improve productivity and strengthen the rural economy and rural communities.

We'll publish more details and an expression of interest form for the scheme in the coming weeks.
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:

Creation of and improvements to local green spaces
£125,000 to cover 2024/25

Funding could be used to improve public open spaces to help more residents and communities to enjoy using our green spaces for their own health and wellbeing.
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.
Local food and farming businesses, community groups, town and parish councils and institutions are invited to a meeting to help shape food action plans for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse.

Date, time and location:
Friday 9 June
11am – 12.30pm
District Community Centre, Great Western Park, Didcot

Following the councils’ adoption of the Oxfordshire Food Strategy, Good Food Oxfordshire has organised a meeting to hear more about the South and Vale Food Action Working Group. Its work will build on the momentum for change towards fairer, healthier and more sustainable local food systems.

If you are interested in taking part or would like to find out more, please email communityconnectors@southandvale.gov.uk.
Spring into summer with the new Only in Oxfordshire Arts & Culture Campaign

Experience Oxfordshire has launched 'Spring into Summer', a campaign designed to support businesses operating in the county’s visitor economy.

The campaign encourages residents and visitors to explore the county and take advantage of the rich range of events and experiences on offer during the spring and summer months.

The digitally led campaign is built around the Arts&CultureHub, which features free and bookable events ranging from comedy nights to classical ballet, workshops through to film, music, exhibitions and indoor and outdoor spectacles.

For more information on the campaign, visit Experience Oxfordshire's website. To submit your own event, complete this form.
Could you be crowned the next Great British Entrepreneur?

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2023 are now open for entries. Categories included are:
  • Creative Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Equity Backed Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Family Business Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Purpose Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Retail Entrepreneur of the year
  • Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Service Industries Entrepreneur of the year
  • Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Technology Entrepreneur of the year
  • The Global Entrepreneur of the year
  • The Investor of the year award
  • The John Caudwell Blaze Your Own Trail Award
  • The Maker & Creator of the year
  • The Unretirement Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Entries close on Wednesday 31 May 2023 at 11:59pm. Shortlisted organisations will be announced week commencing Monday 12 June 2023.

Enter now via the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
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. 
Selling to the councils - current opportunities

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.
Jennings Presents: '7 Steps to Net Zero'

Counting carbon emissions, measuring your footprint and trying to become a Net Zero business can feel overwhelming.

To help, the Jennings Business Park team are hosting a session on the '7 Steps to Net Zero'.

Thursday 8 June   |   9:30am - 11am

From this session you'll come away knowing why we all need to be more sustainable and how to go about it. Three guest speakers will break down this hot topic and explain why this approach will be better for your business and your community, while helping the planet at the same time.

Register for your free place via Eventbrite.

Wed 24 May: TVCC: How to select trade shows to grow your overseas sales 

Wed 24 May: OxLEP: Hiring your first Apprentice - what you need to know

Thu 25 May: Exit Right 2023

Thu 25 May: OBCN Online Networking Event

Fri 26 May: Enterprise Nation: Work smarter, not harder – Top tips for outsourcing

Wed 31 May: FSB: Disabled Entrepreneurs Networking

Thu 1 Jun: Thame Business Buzz

Fri 2 Jun: Business Netwalking in Goring and Streatley

Tue 6 Jun: Oxford Business Community Network - Breakfast
Five mentoring tips from an award-winning business mentor

Watch the latest Networking in... session: 'How to cultivate a leadership mindset'

StartUp UK: free e-learning course to start and grow your business

How to calculate your carbon footprint as a small business

An Outside idea: What makes a business successful?

Give your feedback to government on changes to UK business visitor rules

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To find out more about how the council holds, uses and stores your personal data, please click on the appropriate council’s link:


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