Funding & Grant Opportunities

The pandemic has been incredibly challenging for many people across the UK including the charity and volunteer sector, as such I am pleased to have been able to help facilitate additional grants and funding for many in this sector. 

Many local charities and community groups have come to me and I have worked hard to help them to secure alternative funding streams that perhaps they had not previously considered. Over the last quarter alone my office has managed to secure funding for some local groups from places such as the Postcode Lottery, the National Lottery, Wales & West Utilities, the Moondance Foundation, and the Village Bakery Fund from right here in Wrexham. A good example is the Holt Gardens Project, which benefited from a £1986 grant from the Postcode Lottery that my team and I helped to facilitate. From subsequent conversations with the organisations, charities, or groups that my team and I have helped I know that these funding streams have been a lifeline.

As such, my team and I will be regularly updating this page with a select of grant and funding opportunities that might be of use.

Please also get in contact with me on sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk if you would like more information about any of the below, if you have any questions or if you have a specific situation that you think I may be able to assist with. 

Funding and grant opportunities:

Avery Power Up Business Boost Competition

  • A national competition is offering a package of grants and consultancy to an up and coming or established small business in the UK which requires support and guidance to reach the next phase of its development.
  • The competition is open to small businesses and entrepreneurs set up and actively trading in the UK and with an annual turnover not exceeding £500,000.
  • The competition winner receives a selection of prizes to the value of £3,000, comprising:
    • £1,000 cash, to invest into the business' next steps.
    • 1.5 days of creative consultancy from WMP Creative.
    • An in-depth session with Avery's internal Design & Print online expert.
    • 20% off orders with Avery.co.uk for 12 months.
    • 1 on 1 time with an online business coach.
  • The prize package is intended to enable activities such as launching a new product, updating a website or buying a new piece of equipment, among other activities that enable the business to progress to the next stage of its development.
  • The deadline for entries is 15 August 2021 (23:59 BST).

Toyota Startup Accelerator Open to EU and UK Tech Firms

  • Working in partnership with ISDI Digital Business School, Toyota has launched an accelerator programme to support EU and UK tech start-ups. Forming part of Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050, the scheme will target businesses proposing innovative breakthrough solutions in the start-up ecosystem.
  • Up to 20 start-ups will be selected as finalists to pitch in a Jury Day and compete to enter the Toyota Startup Accelerator programme. Solutions can be hardware, software or a combination of both.
  • A total of €100,000 of equity-free funding will be awarded to five start-ups to develop a Proof of Concept with Toyota. Each successful business will receive up to €20,000 of equity-free funding. Participants will also benefit from time spent with experts, mentors, speakers and key Toyota employees. Additionally, they will receive free services and discounts, such as Amazon Web Services, Braintree, and more.
  • Small and medium-sized (SME) innovative start-ups from across the EU and UK may apply. The start-up must be legally established, or will be legally established, before the start of the programme. It must have at least one MVP (Minimum Viable Product) fully developed. It should have TRL (Technology Readiness Level) of 6 or more, preferably with sustainable competitive advantages, although this is not a requirement.
  • The sponsor is looking for start-ups that have solutions that focus on any of these four broad verticals: Mobility for All; Carbon Neutral; Circular Economy of Plastics; and Life Cycle Footprint Ecosystem.
  • The deadline to apply is 14 September 2021
  • Contact my office for more information: sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk

IUK Competition: Driving the Electric Revolution - Building Talent for the Future

  • Electric and hybrid vehicles, domestic appliances and other applications are creating a considerable need for next-generation power electronics, electric machines and drives (PEMD). For the UK to be able to design, develop and manufacture these products, it requires skilled people across all levels.
  • Innovate UK’s Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge is now investing in projects building talent for the future. The aim of this competition is to fund several ideas that quickly fill immediate gaps in skills, talent and training for the PEMD industry.
  • Proposals must deliver a clear game-changing intervention, which would realistically and significantly meet a UK PEMD talent requirement.
  • IUK has allocated a total of up to £250,000 to fund innovation projects in this competition. Applicants can claim 100% grant against their total eligible project costs from £10,000, up to a maximum grant of £25,000. If the total eligible project costs are more than £25,000, only the maximum grant limit of £25,000 can be claimed.
  • This competition is open to single applicants and collaborations. UK registered businesses of any size, research organisations, charities or public sector organisations can lead a project. They must carry out the project work in the UK. To collaborate with the lead, the organisation must be a UK registered business of any size, academic institution, charity, not-for-profit organisation, public sector organisation, research organisation or research and technology organisation (RTO).
  • The competition opens on 9 August 2021 with a deadline for applications of 15 September 2021 (11:00 BST).

WRAP Circular Economy Fund (Wales)

  • The Circular Economy Fund is funded by the Welsh Government and administered by WRAP Cymru. It aims to help accelerate Wales’ shift towards a circular economy by increasing demand for recycled materials, keeping resources in circulation instead of being incinerated or ending their life in a landfill, and supporting the growth of businesses operating in Wales.
  • The Fund has a total budget of £6.5 million and it aims to demonstrate the many and varied benefits of the Circular Economy model to Welsh manufacturing companies.
  • The Welsh Government and WRAP Cymru acknowledge that many organisations are facing significant challenges resulting from COVID-19. In response, changes have been implemented to the programme, which are designed to support even more organisations and more quickly.
  • In addition to funding the use of recycled materials in products, WRAP Cymru is now able to support preparation for re-use, refurbishment and re-manufacturing activities. These include the production of sustainable goods to aid the global fight against coronavirus.
  • Eligible projects must:
    • Increase the use of recycled plastic, paper / card or textiles in existing or new products; or
    • Extend the lifetime of products / materials through preparation for re-use, refurbishment or re-manufacturing activities, with a particular focus on furniture (soft and hard), electrical equipment, and clothing, textiles, and shoes (projects seeking to use other materials will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
  • Organisations of any size, which are operating in Wales, may apply for a capital grant to invest in infrastructure and equipment for eligible circular activities.
  • Grant levels have been increased since the last round closed earlier this year. Small Scale grants are now available for projects with total capital costs from £75,000 to £335,000 at a maximum grant intervention rate of 60% of eligible project costs. Large Scale grants are available for projects with total capital costs from £335,000, with a maximum grant allowable of £770,000 and grant intervention rates from 35% to 70% of eligible project costs.
  • The next deadline for Small Scale Grants is 10 August 2021. For Large Scale grants, an online questionnaire must be completed and submitted by 5 August 2021.

Funding for Wales’ Social Enterprises

  • The long-running SE-Assist programme enables aspiring social enterprises in Wales to access finance and additional assistance from corporate bodies.
  • Successful applicants will receive a range of support including:
    • A blended finance package of an interest free loan of up to £20,000 (with the potential to borrow more at 6.5%) with a grant of up to £10,000 alongside it.
    • Support to improve financial management.
    • Optional access to expert business mentoring support.
    • Optional access to a range of expert support for organisational development.
    • Networking with other ambitious local social enterprises.
  • Social enterprises based in Wales that have, or are working towards, a sustainable business model evidenced by trading and/or funds raised, may apply. They must have a social impact that addresses a local social or environmental need. Applicants should have a turnover of less than £500,000 per annum.
  • All social enterprises with legal structures other than registered charities can still apply but will be subject to a validation process.
  • The deadline for applications is 23 July 2021.
  • More information can be found here.

Welsh Government Economic Resilience Fund

  • An emergency package of support from the Welsh Government has been announced for businesses that continue to be affected by Covid-19 restrictions. Businesses required to remain closed, and those severely impacted by restrictions, will receive grants to cover operating costs for July and August.
  • Those operating in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors, such as travel agents, attractions and their supply chains, and venues for school visits, will also be eligible to apply for support.
  • Eligible businesses will be entitled to an additional payment of between £1,000 and £25,000, depending on their size, structure and circumstance, to cover the period up to the end of August 2021.
  • To qualify for support, businesses must show their turnover has reduced by more than 60% compared to the corresponding timeline in 2019 or equivalent. All eligible businesses will need to apply for the funding.
  • Applications for the ERF WITH A TURNOVER OF MORE THAN £85K will reopen on the 13 July 2021 at midday until midday Tuesday 27 July 2021
  • Local Authorities across Wales will reopen applications for those businesses that are eligible WITH A TURNOVER OF LESS THAN £85K on the 26 July 2021. This grant application will remain open until 9 August 2021.
  • For more information, go to: https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/businesssupport

Funding for UK Social Entrepreneur Development

  • UnLtd, a charity that promotes social entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom, is inviting applications to its programme of funding and support for social entrepreneurs to help them nurture their social ventures and grow their impact.
  • Applications will be accepted from social entrepreneurs aged 16 and over who are living in the UK. To be eligible for support, the social entrepreneur must:
    • Have identified a social issue and developed a business model that works to solve it.
    • Be committed to, and have a track record of, delivering local, regional or national social impact at scale.
    • Be experienced, ambitious and capable of growing their venture.
    • Have a realistic growth plan.
    • Be committed to working full-time in their social venture.
  • The social venture must:
    • Be at least one year old and ideally less than five years old.
    • Be dynamic and ready to grow to local, regional or national scale and have a logical and appropriate plan to deliver this.
    • Have a compelling performance to date and/or a logical and appropriate plan for rapid growth to reach local, regional or national scale.
    • Not solely exist to secure investment in the year ahead.
    • Target beneficiaries predominantly based in the UK.
  • Grants of £500 to £5,000 are available to support start-up ventures, and grants of up to £15,000 to help established ventures grow and increase their impact.
  • The deadline is 2 November 2021.
  • See more information at: https://www.unltd.org.uk/. 

Additional Grants for Wales’ Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Restrictions

  • Businesses in Wales that continue to be affected by Government-imposed COVID-19 trading restrictions will receive additional support from the Welsh Government. An emergency package of support will cover the operating costs for July and August 2021 of businesses required to remain closed and remain severely impacted as a result of the continuation of the restrictions.
  • Businesses in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors and their supply chains, such as travel agents, attractions limited by social distancing and venues for school visits, will also be eligible to apply for support.
  • Eligible businesses will be entitled to an additional payment of between £1,000 and £25,000, depending on their size, structure and circumstance, to cover the period up to the end of August 2021.
  • To qualify for support, businesses must show their turnover has reduced by more than 60% compared to the corresponding timeline in 2019 or equivalent.  All eligible businesses will need to apply for the funding.  
  • Applications for businesses with a turnover of more than £85,000 are now open and will close Tuesday 27 July 2021 (12:00 BST).
  • Local authorities across Wales will open applications for eligible businesses with a turnover of less than £85,000 on 26 July 2021. The deadline to apply will be 9 August 2021.
  • The eligibility checker is open on the Business Wales website.

eBay for Business Awards Open for Entries

  • Financial awards and expert help are available to operators of eBay businesses to support the growth and development of their business.
  • Twelve category prize winners will receive:
    • £5,000 cash prize.
    • Access to a range of tailored business support, such as a free anchor store subscription, eBay Concierge service, or enrolment in eBay's Pro-Trader programme.
    • Mid-tier marketing and PR support.
  • One Grand Prize winner will receive:
    • £15,000 (plus £5,000 from their category prize win).
    • A high-level marketing bundle from eBay valued at over £100,000.
    • Ongoing PR support.
    • Access to a range of tailored business support, such as a free anchor store subscription, eBay Concierge service, or enrolment in eBay's Pro-Trader programme.
  • The deadline for entries is 2 August 2021.

Carers Trust

National Grid #Voicesforagreenfuture

  • Competition for school-aged children, which will give young people a chance to take their ideas for a greener future to world leaders at #COP26 and win a £5,000 grant for their school.
  • See more information here.

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