Apply for Business Decarbonisation Grant (United Kingdom)

The council has secured capital funding via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This scheme will provide capital funding to:

• Support implementation of decarbonisation activities, including purchase of equipment, premises adaptations and establishment of net-zero infrastructure
• Support businesses to lower greenhouse gas emissions and adopt new processes and/or technologies.

Funding Information

• The council has a maximum budget of £200,000. Funding will be made available from a minimum of £1,000 up to a maximum value of £10,000 per grant.

Eligible Projects

• This scheme provides capital funding to:
  • Support implementation of decarbonisation activities, including purchase of equipment, premises adaptations and establishment of net-zero infrastructure
  • Support businesses to lower greenhouse gas emissions and adopt new processes and / or technologies.
  • All projects must be complete by 31 March 2025. Example projects include:
    • Net-zero infrastructure for businesses
    • New or enhanced green infrastructure at your site or building such as living walls, green roofs, or rain gardens
    • Adaptations to commercial premises that lower emissions
    • Replacing gas/oil boilers with air-source heat pumps and similar examples, such as purchase of equipment with high energy efficiency ratings that help to lower emissions, (please note: they cannot fund new gas boilers or other equipment which may have a negative impact on the climate objectives or that do not support the delivery of the district council’s net-zero emissions targets)
    • Purchase of technology that helps to manage and lower emissions (such as smart energy devices)
    • Projects that enable public transport, walking or cycling
    • Equipment that reduces the amount of waste produced, including improved recycling and reuse of materials
    • Equipment that reduces the use of petrol or diesel vehicles, such as electric vehicles, e-bikes, bicycle courier equipment or business infrastructure, such as EV (electric vehicle) charging points
    • Equipment to enable renewable energy generation (e.g. solar arrays)
    • Equipment that enables use of more sustainable materials, or more efficient recycling and reuse
    • Projects that enable shorter travel distances for products and services
    • Equipment that enables repair cafes, workshops or the loan or share of items and equipment
    • Equipment that enables or improves composting of green waste.

Who can apply to the scheme?

• This scheme is principally aimed at Vale of White Horse based Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). While the scheme seeks to encourage and enable business decarbonisation, registered charities are able to apply to the scheme.
  • Private sector companies
  • Sole Traders
  • Partnership
  • Registered charities
  • Social enterprises, for example CIC’s

Who is not eligible? 

• Organisations with more than 250 employees, or an annual turnover of more than £50m.
• They cannot support projects that include energy/building improvements for premises that also function primarily as domestic accommodation.
• They cannot support projects that have received funding from the following schemes:
• The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme – funding for farmers and land managers to work in partnership with National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty bodies to deliver projects on climate, nature, people and place.
• The Farming Investment Fund – grants to improve productivity and bring environmental benefits, covering 2 funds – the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund and the Farming Transformation Fund.
• The Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund – grant funding over 3 years (to 2025) to support capital improvement projects for village halls, covering extending buildings and modernising facilities.

Requirements 

• In addition to meeting the requirements above, applicants must provide:
  • a copy of recent statements for any bank/building society accounts in the name of the organisation, as identified in the application and on their constitution or company documentation.
  • evidence that the organisation has produced either a decarbonisation plan, sustainability plan or energy audit, or can otherwise demonstrate evidence of how funding would contribute to lowering emissions and quantify the anticipated reduction in emissions (in kilos, or tonnes)
  • two quotes for project items or a professional estimate for any building work.
  • a breakdown of the total cost for the project (that includes any match funded contributions)
  • evidence of secured match funding for the project (where applicable). This could be bank statements showing the funds available, or grant offer letters showing the amount of funding offered.
  • charities and community organisations must provide a constitution that demonstrates that the project they are applying for matches the organisation objectives. They are a ‘not for profit organisation’ and the trustees do not receive benefits.
  • private sector companies and sole traders must provide a UTR number
  • Private sector companies must provide a company registration number, and evidence they are actively trading. (This may include evidence of recent invoices, a website or similar digital presence, business rates bills, or other formal business documentation – due diligence checks are undertaken)
  • If your organisation is registered for VAT, you must provide your VAT registration number. Please note: if you are VAT registered and can recover VAT for grant funded projects, then please ensure VAT is not included in your costs.
• And must confirm:
  • they will sign up to the standard conditions before proceeding with the application. These are available to download from the website and grants system.
  • they have the correct authority in place for their representatives to apply and enter into the Grant Agreement and legally bind the organisation.
  • the project will not complete before a decision has been made, (which is targeted for 5 weeks from the closing date), as they cannot pay for retrospective costs.
  • for applications concerning land of buildings, confirmation of property ownership – either a freehold interest or confirmation of a current lease.
  • for applications concerning land or buildings, they have all the necessary consents such as planning permission, listed building consent, Diocese faculty, landlord or head lease consent, or compliance with any restrictions on the property title, and could provide these on request. Please note, they cannot fund planning permission and building regulations.
  • they have not received any Minimal Financial Assistance in excess of £315,000 (this may also have been called De Minimis State aid if you received it prior to 1 January 2021) in this financial year and/or in the previous two financial years. The organisation is to provide relevant evidence if a subsidy/Minimal Financial Assistance has been received.
  • they will provide additional information to help us evaluate their application on request.
• Applicants must also provide:
  • for applications concerning land of buildings, confirmation of property ownership – either a freehold interest, or a current lease
  • their most recent financial accounts, or their working budget and financial plan for the year if they are a new organisation.
  • Where relevant, details of ongoing maintenance arrangements.

For more information, visit Vale of White Horse District Council.