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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.
This week, we're encouraging organisations to get ready for the upcoming Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) grant scheme. Details can be found below.
We're also highlighting new guidance for food businesses, Vale of White Horse District Council's Climate Action Fund, Retrofit practical workshops from the Net Zero Skills Hub, new grants to drive innovation on farms, the Small Business Britain Side hustle lab, VE Day events in Southern Oxfordshire, UKAEA's tritium fuel cycle facility, and Harwell's property owner and tenant net zero workshop.
Plus, follow us on Facebook and X to be kept up-to-date in between our weekly newsletters.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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South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils will soon be opening the next round of the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). While the final policy for the scheme is making its way through our democratic approvals process, we wanted to share some advanced information with potential applicants to help them prepare ahead of the application window opening. Visit our South and Vale websites for more details on the scheme.
Please note that there is likely to be a limited application window. If you have a project that you think would be a good fit, or have any questions about the scheme, please get in touch.
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Guidance for food businessesThe Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a new collection of free online tools to support food businesses in meeting hygiene and safety standards. As part of the 'Safer Food, Better Business' campaign, these resources include easy-to-follow guidance, checklists and staff training materials, designed to help small businesses stay compliant and keep their customers safe. All materials can be accessed via the FSA website.
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Apply for the Climate Action Fund 2025/2026Vale of White Horse District Council is offering funding for projects that help tackle climate change or help restore nature. Projects must have a community focus, increase awareness of climate change and recent declines in nature, and encourage action. These could centre on energy, biodiversity, waste and consumption, or transport and travel. This grant scheme closes for application at midday on Monday 30 June 2025. Apply via the council's website.
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Retrofit Practical Workshops for Builders, Architects and InstallersLooking to boost your retrofit skills? Abingdon & Witney College's Net Zero Skills Hub is offering a range of practical Net Zero Retrofit Workshops, designed for builders, architects and installers. Workshop topics include:
- Roofs (from inside): Insulation & Airtight Sealing
- Suspended Timber Floors: Insulation & Airtight Sealing
- Windows: Airtight Sealing of Replacement and Existing
- Service Penetrations and Junction: Airtight Sealing
Each session is ideal for professionals looking to future-proof their skills in sustainable building techniques. Register your interest via the Net Zero Skills Hub website.
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New grants to drive innovation on farmsDEFRA has announced more than £45 million in new grants to drive and develop innovative technologies on farms. Applications are now open for the following:
- The ADOPT grant for on-farm trial and demonstration projects to improve adoption of new ideas or solutions in the agricultural sector.
- The ADOPT Facilitator Support Grant for a farmer, grower or forester based in England to engage an external Project Facilitator to support with submissions into the Full ADOPT Grant competitions.
- Farming Futures R&D Fund: Precision Breeding Competition - UK registered businesses can apply for funding for precision breeding of arable and horticultural crops.
- Farming Futures R&D Fund: Low emissions farming - organisations can apply for funding for industrial research projects.
Full details can be found via the Farming in Innovation website.
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Small Business Britain: Side hustle labGot a side hustle idea, or one that needs a boost? Small Business Britain presents the Side Hustle Lab, supported by eBay, to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs take their side hustles to the next level. Through expert-led training, this programme will guide you through the essentials of building, managing and growing a successful side business. Course modules include:
- Getting Started with a Side Hustle
- Managing Time & Balancing a Side Hustle with Other Commitments
- Marketing on a Budget & eBay Best Practices
- Customer Service & Scaling a Side Hustle
- Choosing the Right Legal Structure & Compliance
- Finance and Sustainable Growth
Sign up for your free place via the Small Business Britain website.
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Today marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, known as VE Day.To celebrate, there are several events happening over the course of the week. These include:
- Abingdon Royal British Legion, supported by Abingdon Town Council, will be hosting a series of events to mark the 80th anniversary. These include a concert at St Helen’s Church featuring Abingdon Town Band, the Albert Park singers and Abingdon drama club, a VE flag being raised from County Hall, a ceremony laying blue flowers for peace and wreaths at the war memorial, a special concert, a 40-foot display of the Operation Overlord model railway, a rally of MGs and an exhibition of the role of the MG factory played in the war effort.
- Faringdon Town Council is inviting residents to gather at the Old Town Hall, where a beacon will be lit.
- Henley Town Council is celebrating with an Education Day, with talks, sirens, songs and a traditional fish and chip supper, beacon lighting, a live swing band, Lindy Hop lessons, themed cocktails, a Churchill tribute, talks, guided walks, reenactors, military vehicles, a Spitfire display and river trips on a Dunkirk Little Ship.
- Wantage Town Council is hosting a 1940s street party, with live music, food stalls, free vintage fair games and lindy hop dancing.
- Thame Town Council are hosting a wreath-laying ceremony, a sing-a-long at sunset and the lighting of a beacon.
To discover other local events happening in Southern Oxfordshire, visit our website.
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Eni and UKAEA to build the world’s largest and most advanced tritium fuel cycle facilityThe United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the UK’s national organisation responsible for the research and delivery of sustainable fusion energy, and Eni, have entered into a collaboration agreement to jointly conduct research and development activities in the field of fusion energy. The collaboration starts with the construction of the world’s largest and most advanced tritium fuel cycle facility, a vital fuel for future fusion power stations. The “UKAEA-Eni H3AT (pronounced ‘heat’) Tritium Loop Facility”, located at Culham Campus, will be complete in 2028. Read the story in full via the UKAEA website.
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Property Owner & Tenant Net Zero WorkshopThe Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership is joining forces with Better Buildings Partnership to host a workshop designed to help projects reach their Net Zero goals. Wednesday 14 May | 09.30am – 1pm Satellite Applications Catapult, Harwell Campus
While both landlords and tenants often share similar net zero ambitions, the split incentive remains a major barrier: building owners covering the costs of energy efficiency upgrades, while tenants benefit from lower energy bills. On top of this, institutional, technical and legal barriers often slow down or block progress altogether. Come along and hear about the Green Lease Toolkit, case studies from owners and tenants, and insights into market trends, incentives and drivers for taking action. There will also be time for networking and knowledge exchange opportunities. Spaces are limited – register your interest via the Harwell Campus website.
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Boost your business success – stay connected with us!
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? We’re here to provide the tools, insights and resources you need to succeed.
Follow our social media channels for:
- The latest business news
- Important events
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Follow us on our new Facebook page and X account to keep up to date.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, knowledge or just a little extra motivation, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to help your business thrive - one post at a time!
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