Businesses seeking to adopt eco-friendly practices or develop sustainable products often face financial barriers. Fortunately, there are several funding streams available in the UK, offering grants and support to help companies reduce their environmental impact, innovate green solutions and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Here are four notable sustainability grants available in 2024, their amounts, deadlines and info on how businesses can apply.
- Clean Growth Fund
Amount: You can apply for between £500,000 – £3m in equity investments
Deadline: Open year-round, with rolling applications
Do you have a clean tech company in waste reduction or low-carbon transport? The funding on offer from the CGF gives the opportunity for entrepreneurs in their early stages to help with growing their business or concept, including how to work towards the government target of having UK’s net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Do you have a good idea for renewable energy or how to maximise energy efficiency? This funding could help.
To apply, you need to be:
- UK-based and in the early stages of development (Seed or Series A funding).
- Focused on technology innovations that address climate change or reduce carbon emissions and explain how your business will do this.
- Sharing in your business plan how your business can grow and operate commercially.
To apply, send over the following here:
- Your business plan, including financial forecasts and a roadmap for commercialisation.
- Evidence of the environmental impact, such as carbon reduction metrics.
- An offer of some equity in exchange for funding, as the Clean Growth Fund provides capital in return for a share in the business.
The Climate Change Fund
Amount: Between £300,000 up to £1.5 million, spread out between 1-3 years
Deadline: Extended to 2025
In its aim to tackle climate change, the climate action fund wants to help partnership projects working towards this cause, or organisations that want to make more people aware of the issue. Even better if you have an idea of how to help other people act on climate change.
You don’t have to be an environmental organisation to apply, but a group wanting to develop an idea to make a difference and reach a local community. Whether it’s developing land into a nature reserve or a food waste project.
You can be a community-led or public sector organisation.
You can find out more or make your application here.
- Technology Accelerator Fund – apply soon!
All those in need of funding to develop tech to help the environment apply by 11th November 2024, for up to £50,000 to help fund your technological development.
The Technology Accelerator Fund (TAF) at Cranfield University supports start-ups to with technical development or validation of an innovative product that helps to solve a challenge raised from climate change or tech that helps the environment.
As well as finding, you’ll gain access to Cranfield’s wide range of applied science and engineering expertise and pilot-scale facilities, offering critical technical and market support in areas, such as:
- Reducing product development costs.
- Rapid prototyping.
- Design for use/manufacture.
- Compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements.
You can also get training on how to run a business and develop marketing.
Whether you’re a start-up or single entrepreneur, you can apply here.
- Stobart Sustainability Fund
Amount varies from £10,000 and above
Deadline: A rolling deadline going into 2025
The Stobart Fund has a channel of ongoing funding available to help community-led organisations and not-for-profit groups with their project idea to tackle climate change, cut down on carbon emissions or to protect and enhance the environment. The funding is for as little as £10,000 for smaller projects and can be more depending on what is needed.
To apply and find out more, click here
- Low Carbon Across the South and East (LoCASE)
Amount: Grants of up to £20,000
Deadline: Rolling applications (open throughout 2024 and into 2025)
The Low Carbon Across the South and East (LoCASE) program provides funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to implement low-carbon solutions, improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The program operates across several regions, including the South East and East of England.
- To be eligible, your business must be an SME, suggest projects that will lower energy consumption, improve resource efficiency, or reduce carbon emissions.
- Provide a clear action plan for how the funding will be used to achieve measurable sustainability outcomes.
How to Apply:
- Submit an application form outlining your project, goals and how it will reduce energy usage or carbon emissions.
- Provide financial information to demonstrate that your business is an SME.
- Include quotes from suppliers or contractors if the funding is intended for equipment or infrastructure upgrades.
Conclusion
The UK offers several sustainability grants in 2024 aimed at helping businesses reduce their environmental impact, enhance energy efficiency and adopt sustainable practices. Each grant targets different sectors, from clean technology to plastic waste reduction, making it important to choose the right one for your business. By following the specific criteria and submitting thorough, well-prepared applications, eco-conscious businesses can secure the funding needed to implement meaningful, sustainable changes.
Writing applications can be complex and time-consuming. Need help with answering questions and putting your story together in a compelling way to gain some much-needed funding? I can help! Get in touch with me, below.
