The Net zero carbon start-up grant is a pilot scheme offering financial and technical support to:
- Help budding (or ‘start-up’) social enterprises to get their business ready for trading or investment
- Embed climate friendly practices into start-up social enterprises from the outset
The scheme is open to any up-and-coming social business or trading voluntary organisation in Wales. You don’t need to be an environmental or climate change focussed group to apply.
This pilot is for early stage, start-up social enterprises that are:
- Wales based, delivering benefits for Welsh communities
- Incorporated, with a sound business plan but as yet unproven revenue streams (unincorporated organisations can apply but will need to become incorporated before any funds are released)
- Ambitious for growth to create employment and achieve social impact
- Committed to achieving net zero carbon status for the business. (Net zero is defined as working to minimise carbon emissions generated by the business and offsetting the residual – it recognises that very few businesses will be truly ‘zero carbon’ ones)
Successful applicants will receive a grant of up to £12,500 to help them achieve the formal launch of trading or make the business investment ready. This is to be spent on getting the business to one of these points and is not restricted to use on carbon reduction activity.
Organisations in this pilot scheme will also get support from a climate change consultant to embed climate friendly operating practices within the business from the outset.
The deadline for Expression of Interest (EOI) in this first round is 3 March 2022 at 11:59pm. Once the EOI is passed you will be invited to submit an application. The deadline for applications in the first round is 10 March 2022 at 11.59 pm, with awards confirmed by the end of the month.
For further information visit the WCVA website.