Support for Businesses
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