Support for Businesses

Worcestershire County Council is dedicated to helping local businesses develop and thrive. From local start-ups to high-growth enterprises, we're offering a variety of support for businesses of all sizes across the county.

Business Support Grants

Offering businesses a range of grant funding options available across various sectors.

Graduate Development Programme aims to improve business productivity, enable knowledge and skills transfer and increase employment opportunities for graduates, and postgraduates, whilst retaining their talent for the benefit of the local economy. 

Proof of Concept funding has now been fully allocated, no further applications for Proof of Concept will be taken.

Enterprising Worcestershire offer different support options to enable start-up and early stage enterprises to develop and prosper.

Kickstart Scheme offers funding to employers to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.

Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme Could your business benefit from a faster, more reliable broadband connection? Are you in an area without sufficient broadband infrastructure? Find out about how the voucher scheme can help fund a gigabit-capable connection to boost your business.

Skills Grants

Encouraging employers to influence, inform, motivate and inspire local students. 

Apprenticeship Grants

In response to the challenges faced by businesses during COVID-19, until 31st January 2021, employers will be eligible to receive a new incentive payment for hiring a new apprentice.

Traineeship Grants

A skills development programme that includes a work placement, allowing employers to design a programme that suits both the needs of the business and the trainee.

Apprenticeship Levy Support

A scheme designed to pay apprenticeship training contributions of businesses which address skills shortages in the region. This will also create apprenticeships for disadvantaged groups, whilst enabling community and voluntary organisations to enhance stability within their workforce.

Find out more at Worcestershire Apprenticeships (link opens in a new window)

Clean Growth Grants

Enabling businesses to contribute towards a thriving low carbon economy. 

Business Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP): Free energy efficiency assessments which could lead to grants for businesses who wish to reduce costs and improve environmental credentials. Available to SMEs in eligible sectors.

Public-Sector Energy Efficiency Programme (PEEP): PEEP provides free energy assessments and capital grant funding to support public-sector organisations to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and invest in renewable energy technologies.

Low Carbon Opportunities Programme (LOCOP): Free renewable energy or low carbon innovation assessments and grants to SMEs in eligible sectors.

Natural Networks: Grants and advice to projects which aim to create or restore wildlife-rich habitats.

Zero Carbon Ready Worcestershire: Free specialist advice and decarbonisation assessments aimed at supporting organisations across Worcestershire to reduce their greenhouse emissions and to help move towards the net zero carbon target. This is a pilot programme available until 31 October 2022. 
 

See more about sustainability grants and support

Worcestershire Business Central

A service dedicated to supporting Worcestershire business with local support in one place This is a central point of contact for all businesses within the county, making it simple and accessible for businesses to access and find the help they need. Find out more about Worcestershire Business Central.

Elevate

The Elevate Worcestershire programme is a growth support offer for established, successful businesses with the vision and opportunity for significant further growth. The programme is flexible and will offer a variety of support packages to meet a range of business needs and sector specific challenges. Elevate is designed to enable established SMEs in Worcestershire to achieve their growth potential and take their business to the next level. Find out more about Elevate

Worcestershire European Regional Development Fund Technical Assistance

The Worcestershire European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Technical Assistance project offers information and support to organisations developing and applying for ERDF projects in Worcestershire. Find out more about Worcestershire European Regional Development Fund Technical Assistance.

Business and IP Centre

Worcestershire libraries provide a business support and signposting service for local pre-start, early start and growth businesses. Find out more about the Business and IP Centre (link opens in a new window)

Worcestershire Innovation (WINN)

Creating a community of innovative individuals and businesses, wherever they are within the business life cycle, to ensure they have access to all areas of relevant support including events, the Innovation Launchpad and The WINN Show. Read more about Worcestershire Innovation (WINN).

Skills for Worcestershire

Are you concerned about your future workforce? How do you market your business to young people and grow talent for your business? Or are you perhaps looking for networking opportunities? Read more about Investing in your future workforce.

One Worcestershire

Raising the profile of Worcestershire regionally, nationally and internationally by supporting local business, attracting inward investment and encouraging tourism. Find out more about One Worcestershire (link opens in a new window)

Worcestershire Works Well

A free accreditation scheme designed to support businesses to improve the health and well-being of their employees. Find out more about Worcestershire Works Well (link opens in a new window)

Enterprising Worcestershire

A variety of support available for early-stage businesses and start-ups, as well as those considering self-employment. Find out more about Enterprising Worcestershire.

Clean Growth

Offering free assessments to help businesses save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop low carbon technologies. Find out more from Business-Central

Business Mentoring

The innovative mentoring project matches local business owners with experienced Worcester Ambassadors members to offer them invaluable expertise and guidance. Business Mentoring

Business Continuity in an Emergency

Business Continuity Management (BCM) is about identifying those parts of your organisation that you can’t afford to lose. Find our more about Business Continuity in an Emergency.

Community Renewal Fund

Worcestershire County Council has been nominated as the lead authority and are inviting organisations to submit applications for the fund that deliver on the priorities identified. For more information see Community Renewal Fund

Elevate Technology

Elevate Technology provides bespoke support to harness the power of digital tools and technology, to transform business operations and automate processes. On completion of the support there is the opportunity to apply for grant funding to implement new and maximise existing technologies, to improve performance and take the business to the next level.