£2m grant scheme launched to accelerate local businesses towards Net Zero

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub has launched a £2m grant scheme to support businesses in their transition to Net Zero.

Funded through the Good Growth programme, the scheme aims to help local businesses invest in technology to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Grants are available from £2,500 up to £200,000. Interested organisations must showcase a genuine commitment to environmental sustainability, provide a minimum of 50% match funding, and demonstrate the capability to cover the project cost as the funding is claimed retrospectively.

The scheme is expected to be of particular interest to those businesses that have taken part in Wildanet’s B-23 initiative. This was launched in January 2023 with the aim of supporting and inspiring 23 Cornish businesses to join Wildanet in working towards B Corp status.

The project was so successful that funding was secured from Cornwall Council to run a second cohort of Cornish businesses and the plan is to extend the project to Devon in 2024.

Helen Wylde-Archibald, CEO of Wildanet, said: “We know from our own B-23 initiative that there is a huge appetite among Cornish businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.

“The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth programme, which is managed by Cornwall Council, should be applauded for making this grant funding available so that many more Cornish businesses can continue on their Net Zero journey.”

The grant scheme is a competitive, two-stage process and deadline for Expressions of Interest is 5pm on Friday 19 January 2024.

The strongest projects will then be invited to submit a full application and supported to develop a decarbonisation plan, which is required for all successful bids.

For full details and to submit an expression of interest, please visit the Growth Hub website.

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