Apply Now: Forest of Dean Business Start-Up Grant (UK)

To support this, the Council have been providing the Business Start Up Grant since September 2020. This funding can be used towards a variety of business and social enterprise start-up activities including: research and development, installing clean technologies, premises, equipment and product/service launch. Please note this is not an exhaustive list – they want to hear from you and your ideas.

Key Objectives

• Your application MUST clearly demonstrate the following which will form the basis of the assessment criteria:
  • How your new business will deliver three or more of the five identified outcomes
  • How the success of your new business will be measured – how the business will produce economic results for the Forest of Dean and how you will measure this.
  • Evidence that there is a need and/or demand for your business or social enterprise – reference to consultation results, market research, agri-tech or other industry specific research, project/business plan.
  • The business’s contributions towards a sustainable local economy – what benefits are likely to come from the continuing existence of the business.
  • For projects that will run beyond an initial 12 months, how the organisation will ensure the sustainability of financial support.
  • How your business is not solely reliant on public funding – the application budget should illustrate how you plan to raise additional financial support or support in-kind to complement any grant funding.
  • If your project is eligible for other funding, how the Business Start-Up Grant will complement and add value to those other sources of funds.

Funding Information

• There will be a maximum of £1,000 per application. Allocation will be agreed on projects at an appropriate scale and the ability to proceed to the implementation stage. The fund is competitive so applications need to be realistic, deliver results, demonstrate value for money and local economic growth potential. The panel reserves the right to consider any applications being submitted for funding outside the maximum range.
• Organisations can make more than one grant application, however only one application can be approved for funding.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate match funding amounting to at least 50% of the project’s total cost to include cash and in kind elements.

Outcomes

• Successful applications must deliver AT LEAST 3 of the following 6 desired outcomes:
  • New business or enterprise
  • Job creation
  • Demonstration of innovation including the design and delivery of new products/equipment/services, highlighting how this varies from what is already on offer in the Forest of Dean.
  • Demonstration of decarbonisation and sustainable activities, renewable energy use, regenerative farming practices, or the introduction of clean technologies
  • Occupation or creation of new commercial floorspace and/or agricultural farmland or buildings for business use
  • Increased footfall/visitor numbers/visitor spend/turnover for individual business, town or village centre.

Eligibility Criteria

• Any locally based new business or constituted social enterprise organisation can apply individually or in partnership. Applicants must be registered after April 2021 and be both located and registered within the Forest of Dean.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Home-based businesses are not eligible, however a mobile service business, such as a hairdresser/dog groomer/construction trades/tree surgeon, where the service delivery is predominantly within a Forest of Dean target market would be eligible.
• Businesses who have been in receipt of +£5,000 local government, central government, or European Funded grant aid prior to 2019.

For more information, visit Forest of Dean District Council.