Apply for the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme

The VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme helps voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) across England to deliver more efficient services for people and communities by saving money on their energy bills.

The scheme is now offering Independent Energy Assessments to help identify energy-saving opportunities in your building. The programme also offers Capital Grants to implement measures recommended in your assessment.

To get started, you'll need to use the eligibility checker to see if you’re eligible to apply for the cost and delivery of an Independent Energy Assessment (IEA) or a Capital Grant. If you’re successful, you'll be matched with an independent energy assessor who will work with you to assess your building and help identify energy-saving opportunities.

Capital Grants of between £2,000 and £150,000 can be used to install capital energy efficiency measures.

Independent Energy Assessment closes for applications on Thursday 20 June. The application window for the Capital Grant closes on Friday 14 August.

Apply for the scheme via the Groundwork website.

Free business support from the Oxfordshire Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC)

Located in the Oxford Westgate Library, the BIPC can offer businesses in Oxfordshire access to free resources, training and events.

Whether you’re just setting out, need advice on protecting your intellectual property or simply have a brilliant idea, the team can offer you tailored 1:1 support.

Services include:

• 1:1 support sessions
  
• Valuable market research databases
  
• Hybrid workshop room
  
• Marketing suite
  
• Audio visual equipment
  
• Large mind mapping white board walls
  
• Private meeting booths
  
• Computer stations

Find out how you can get involved via the BIPC website.

Google Digital Garage: Oxfordshire

In partnership with Google, Enterprise Nation is hosting a free, in-person workshop for people who run or want to start a business.

Friday 17 May   |   10am - 3pm

The event will take place at the Oxfordshire Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC), located in the Oxford Westgate Library. 

The Digital Garage is a non-profit nationwide programme from Google, delivering free digital skills training via an online learning platform. This platform provides individuals with a tailored training plan to learn digital skills, completely for free.

Topics covered include:

• Boosting your productivity with AI
• Marketing strategy and AI
• Problem solving like a consultant
• Getting your business visible on Google

Register for your free place via Eventbrite.

OIEP Regional Banking Seminar

Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP) and Avon Mutual have teamed up to host a free, in-person event on why Regional Banks are important, the process and pitfalls of setting them up, and the opportunities for Oxfordshire.

Thursday 23 May   |   6pm - 8pm
Old Fire Station, Oxford

Community banks are an alternative to traditional, commercial banks. With a specific focus on their locality, community banks can address the financial needs of SMEs, ordinary people and community groups. Community banks also have a remit to invest more ethically than commercial banks, being regional anchor institutions held in trust for the benefit of their members.

Regional mission-led banks have been recommended by the RSA Inclusive Growth Commission and the Community Wealth Building movement as central pillars in improving local economic and social outcomes.

Avon Mutual are set to open the first of a wave of community-owned regional banks in the UK, taking local savings and using them to create local loans.

Come along to the seminar to find out more.