August 2020 News and Blogs

A new fund from Welsh Government and administered by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) will focus on reducing the inequality resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. Although the social restrictions are easing, many people are still in emergency situations that need urgent support. The Voluntary Services Recovery Fund (VSRF) will focus on reducing inequalities across society because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Grants will support not for profit organisations working at a community scale up...

The Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs has announced the launch of a BPS 2020 Support Scheme. This is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 scheme will again pay a loan of up to 90% of an individual business’ anticipated BPS claim value. The Support Payment will alleviate the short term pressure on those farm businesses which do not receive their BPS payment on day one of the payment window, which opens...

Paying proper attention to what other people have to say is one of the most important life skills you need to acquire. Actively listening will have a profound impact on your personal and professional life. By making a conscious effort to digest what others have to offer, you gain useful information on which to base decisions and knowledge to support personal progression. This means opportunities present themselves with greater clarity. Listening also demonstrates to people...

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is launching a £2.8 million competition to find state of the art and technological solutions for the improved detection of explosives, weapons and illicit drugs. The competition takes place in two phases: up to £1 million is available in Phase 1 with proposal bids in the region of £70,000 for six months to develop proof of concept – the deadline for phase 1 is 28 September 2020 up to...

Covid-19 is changing the way business and people work and impacting working environments and arrangements. Those working from home or in the workplace with a disability will benefit from extra help, thanks to an extension of the Access to Work scheme, including support for special equipment, travel costs and mental health. With many employers asking workers to adapt to a new environment, Access to Work can play a key role in supporting disabled people to...

Employers have a duty of care to protect employees’ health and safety at work and this includes understanding if they are in a higher risk category from COVID-19. This duty of care includes ensuring an equitable approach for all staff regardless of ethnicity or any other protected characteristics. The COVID-19 Workforce Risk Assessment Tool was developed for use in health and social care but can be used in any workplace. The Tool asks a number...

In response to the coronavirus crisis, Theatres Trust has repurposed their small grants schemes to support theatres to cover the additional costs of reopening after several months’ closure. Grants of up to £5,000 to help not-for-profit theatres across the UK to make Covid-19-related adaptions and prepare for reopening. The Theatre Reopening Fund will support building improvements and purchasing equipment that will support the theatre to be able to open viably and safely. It will not...

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a core component of Wales’ R&D and innovation offer to businesses and the aim of this initiative is to make KTPs more accessible and cost effective for SMEs and encourage more businesses to benefit from the programme. The Welsh Government has announced that they will contribute 75% towards the total costs of KTP projects that meet the eligibility criteria and are approved for participation in the KTP programme. SME businesses...

We are a small AI startup based in Wales who recently won a grant from Innovate UK to help SMEs bounce back from COVID. We have launched GoSmarter.ai, a toolbox that helps SMEs automate tasks and processes saving tons of time and increasing productivity. Because it's funded, we have been able to develop it and make it free for all SMEs to use, which is fantastic, but our next ambitious goal is to share it...

Childcare providers including child minders, nurseries, cylch meithrin, crèches and out of school clubs can apply for up to £5,000 to cover loss of income between 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2020. You need to be registered with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW). You cannot get the grant if you have successfully applied for or had funding from the following schemes: Business rate grants administered by your local authority Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) Self-Employment Income...