Grants and Funding
Whether you're considering starting in business, a recent startup or and established company, this section contains information and links on funding relevant to you.
Grants Database for Businesses & Social Enterprises
There are over 2500 funding schemes that businesses in the borough are eligible for from EU, national, regional and local sources. Your ability to access individual schemes depends on the nature of your business or social enterprise and the activities it is engaged in. Charnwood have chosen to work with j4b plc, a European leader in providing funding information, the access is free for both businesses and social enterprises – Open4Business and Open4Social Enterprise features includes:
• 60 second funding search or category browse for easy and quick access
• 24 hour update for comprehensive funding information
• Full scheme & contact details linking you directly to funding providers
• Local information, support and contact details to help your organisation meet its potential
• Local news bulletins on business issues in your area
For access to Business & Social Enterprise search Funding Search
For access to Community funding search Charnwood Together
Funding To Grow Your Business
EMDA - Access to Finance Presentation
The presentation above was given by Neale Ryan from EMDA on how to Access Finance at the North Charnwood Business Forum.
We would like to say a big Thank You to Michael Thompson from Local Sourcing for creating this interactive presentation which was recorded on the night.
Just to advise your PC will require a Sound Card to hear the presentation
Funding Sources in the East Midlands
- Skills Development to Manage your Business
emda and Learning & Skills Council (EM)now provide funding for the development of business leaders and managers in the region
- Business Transformation Grants
These grants from emda are to allow businesses to introduce changes for business improvement. Follow the link to get more infomration and to download a brochure
- GINEM (Growth Investment Network East Midlands)
GINEM aim is to mobilise funding for business growth in the East Midlands. Among the schemes that it promotes are the Connect Midlands £1M Investment Challenge and the East Midlands Early Growth Fund
- Finance advice - A video from Leicester Shire Economic Partnership (LSEP)
LSEP has produced a number of videos aimed at offering advice and information to businesses on a number of subjects
General Grants and Funding Opportunities
The Grants and Support Directory (GSD) allows you to search for potential sources of help with starting up or developing your business. The database contains schemes from central and local government as well as private organisations
A link to the Finance Section of the Small Business Service website
- Business Link Funding Booklet (PDF, 955 Kb)
This booklet, produced by Business Link Leicestershire, details funding available to existing businesses in Leicestershire.
Resource Efficiency Grants
These are grants available to SMEs in the East Midlands to help them become more environmentally friendly. These businesses could now be eligible for up to £10,000 in grant funding to help them with resource efficiency improvements.
- Read the emda Press Release (MS Word, 112 Kb)
How to Apply
If you are a small business and are interested in finding out more, contact Business Link on 0845 058 6644, visit the website or email
Green Grants Machine
Green Grants Machine is a web site developed by J4B, our Funding Information Database supplier, specifically to help businesses find funding to go green. It has been developed to help private sector organisations access the latest information on the funding which is currently available to improve their environmental performance and reduce their energy costs. It is the first time that much of the information has been available in a free online database instead of a subscription-only basis.
- Read press release (MS Word, 61 Kb)
Social Enterprise Grants
Whilst the Borough Council does not have any general fund to promote business start ups, it does have grants to encourage the development of social enterprises. These were formerly known as community economic development grants and are usually up to £1000 but can exceptionally be more. Most are set up in collaboration with LCCDA (now called CaSE-da). Please visit website for further details and information about who qualifies for such grants and to get an application form.
More information about CaSE-da
Rural Business Funding
- Grants Targeting Rural Businesses (July 2007) (MS Word, 28 Kb)
Guide to the grants currently available and where to get them.
- Rural Grants Leaflet and How to Apply (PDF, 765 Kb)
Leics. Rural Partnership - Rural Funding Grant Guidance Notes (PDF, 407 Kb)
Please read these notes before completing your application form
- Leics. Rural Partnership - Rural Funding Grant Application Form (PDF, 155 Kb)
- Redundant Buildings Grant Scheme (PDF, 1.2 Mb)
The new life for Redundant Buildings Grants scheme provides financial assistance to the owners of redundant buildings in rural Leicestershire to convert their premises to new economic uses. New Life for Redundant Buildings Initiative is done in partnership with BT, the Countryside Agency, Leicestershire County Council and District Councils
- Rural Micro Business Development Grant Initiative (MS Word, 398 Kb)
Funded by the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) through the Leicestershire Economic Partnership (LSEP), the principal objective of the Rural Micro Business Development Grant Initiative is to help rural businesses, including farm-based businesses, achieve proposals for development, diversification and income generation.
- Farmers' Business Development Grant
Farm businesses are invited to apply for grant support, up to a maximum of £5,000 or up to 50% of eligible costs
Tourism Grants
- Grants for Tourism Businesses (PDF, 67 Kb)
Hi Tech Business Funding
- New Technology Grant
As part of the regional innovation strategy, emda are offering a new technology grant of up to £20,000, designed to support new technologies specifically for market validity or feasibility studies.
This first call is focused on Biotechnologies/Therapeutics and Information and Communication Technologies as part of the Technology Framework for the East Midlands.
Visit the East Midlands Innovation website for qualification criteria and application forms.
- Energy & Environmental Industries Network (PDF, 149 Kb)
If you are a small or medium sized business (SME) located in the East Midlands and have an energy or environmental problem or issue then you could be eligible for grant aid up to £5,000* for the purchase of new
technology equipment. - Research and Development Grants from the DTI
Here you can find information about R&D and innovation, including information about available government support for businesses embarking on R&D projects. emda has specialist advisers who manage grants for R&D. For Leicestershire the Manager is Ebela Howell, tel. 0115 988 8538
Retail Funding
- Market Town Retail Development Scheme (PDF, 86 Kb)
- Shop Improvement Grants
Various grants are available for retail properties; shop front improvements and LOTS / WOTS (Living over the Shop / working over the shop)
- Shop Front Improvement Grants (PDF, 67 Kb)
- LOTS / WOTS scheme (PDF, 39 Kb)
- Rural Retail Development Scheme (PDF, 94 Kb)
- Post Office Development Scheme (PDF, 95 Kb)
- Commercial Property Improvement Grants
The aim of this grant scheme is to provide financial assistance to eligible commercial property in order to improve the external appearance of the buildings.
Creative Industries Funding
Funding to Develop and Expand Recycling Services to Businesses (UK)
- Funding to Develop and Expand Recycling Services to Businesses (UK)
Organisations that wish to create or expand recycling services that serve businesses, in particular small and medium sized enterprises are able to apply for funding through WRAP’s Recycling Programme.