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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.
This week, we're focusing on our Business Decarbonisation Grant, closing for applications on Monday 7 October. Eligible projects include electric vehicles and EV chargers, e-bikes, air or ground source heat pumps, insulation, glazing and more. Full details can be found below.
We're also highlighting the Oxfordshire Flood Toolkit, two opportunities to reduce your organisation's carbon footprint, a survey for charities and groups, the VistaPrint and Enterprise Nation grant programme, and a Government webinar on T-Level industry placements for neurodiverse and SEND students.
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.
- South and Vale's Economic Development team
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There are just under two weeks left to apply for our Business Decarbonisation Grant.
We're encouraging small businesses, sole traders, registered charities, partnerships and social enterprises to apply for a grant of up to £10,000 that can be used to help lower your carbon footprint, save money on your energy bills and attract new customers.
Eligible projects include:
- Electric Vehicles and EV chargers
- e-bikes
- smart energy controls (e.g. Hive or Nest thermostats)
- renewable energy equipment, such as solar panels or battery storage
- air or ground source heat pumps
- improving insulation at your premises
- glazing
- building living walls, green roofs or rain gardens
- purchasing or building equipment.
Please note that we cannot fund new gas boilers or newer diesel vehicles, or similar equipment that may continue to have a negative impact on our climate objectives, or that do not support the delivery of the district council’s net-zero emissions targets.
This grant scheme is competitive, and closes for applications at 3pm on Monday 7 October.
Please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible to be in with a chance of securing funding for your business.
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Amber weather warning
The Met Office has announced an Amber weather warning, and while the Environment Agency currently has no flood warnings in place for our area, one or two flood alerts have been issued.
We are aware that the rainfall may already have caused some localised flooding, including possible reports of flooded properties.
Businesses and residents should use the Oxfordshire Flood Toolkit to read about preventative measures they can take, and to report a flood.
Please monitor the Environment Agency’s Flood Warnings map for further details.
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Want to do your bit for the planet?We’ve awarded UKSPF funding to Low Carbon Hub to provide 22 businesses in South and Vale with a free energy assessment at their site, and a bespoke decarbonisation plan. All participating organisations will receive bespoke recommendations for their premises, each with a rationale and steps for implementation, supported with informed estimates of costs and savings. The report will also include details on suitable finance options to achieve these goals. Upon receiving an energy assessment and a decarbonisation plan, on average, organisations can cut their energy bills by 19%. Full details on how to get involved can be found via the Low Carbon Hub website.
We’ve also awarded funding to ALP Synergy Ltd to carry out a free Decarbonisation Business Support pilot programme, helping South and Vale businesses to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.
The programme consists of Net Zero webinars and workshops, and supports 25 businesses to create a carbon reduction plan, providing them with a set of specific actions they can take to start or progress their sustainability journey. Tailored 1:1 support to explore new processes or technologies is also provided.
Get involved via our website.
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Smallest charities and groups survey for Oxfordshire
If you’re a small charity, a village hall, a local support group or any other community organisation in Oxfordshire, and your income is under £100,000 per year, Community First Oxfordshire and OCVA want to hear from you.
Your insights will help to shape the future of support available for organisations like yours, and to make the case to funders for why this support is needed.
As a thanks, you’ll be entered into a draw to win six hours of coaching/facilitation or consultancy support for your organisation.
The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. The closing date for responses is Monday 7 October 2024.
Have your say in the survey.
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Apply for the VistaPrint and Enterprise Nation grant programmeVistaPrint and Enterprise Nation are joining forces to provide a grant programme to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. The programme will award 20 small businesses from across the UK £3,000 each, plus a free 12-month subscription to VistaCreate Pro, £500 to spend on the VistaPrint UK site, and access to 99designs by Vista silver logo and brand guide package (or equivalent). To be eligible to apply, your business must:
- be based in the UK and have a UK business bank account
- be a registered business or registered as self-employed, with proof of UTR
- not be undergoing insolvency, examinership, receivership or any related or similar process
- if requested, be willing to share how the cash grant was used (VistaPrint may use and/or publish these details for marketing, advertising and PR)
The scheme closes for applications on 31 October at 11:59pm. Apply via the VistaPrint website.
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T Level industry placements – hosting neurodiverse students and students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
The Department for Education and Strategic Development Network are hosting a free, one-hour webinar on why employers benefit from hosting SEND and neurodiverse students.
Wednesday 2 October | 9.30am - 10.30am
Hosting neurodiverse students and students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) brings many benefits in terms of an inclusive approach to talent and greater diversity in the organisation. There are some extra responsibilities for employers, but these are shared with the educational provider and should not be seen as a barrier to offering placements.
This webinar is for anyone who would like to know more about why to host SEND and neurodiverse students on T Level industry placements, what’s involved, and how providers can help. The content has been designed for those who are organising or coordinating placements, and those involved in managing or mentoring students during their placement.
Register for your free place here.
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