The new £2 million Ceredigion Social Enterprise Growth Fund is being launched next week with a series of events across the county aiming to raise awareness of the scheme and bring Ceredigion Social Enterprises together to discuss how they might benefit. Social enterprise organisations must be “not for profit” organisations that reinvest any surplus income into the organisation itself or into the community.
The new Ceredigion Social Enterprise Growth Fund is a grant scheme designed to enable social enterprises operating in Ceredigion to expand their trading activity, create permanent jobs and help to ensure the sustainability of their organisation after funding has ended. The new Ceredigion Social Enterprise Growth Fund is administered by Ceredigion County Council on behalf of the Adfywio Ceredigion Regeneration Partnership. The project is supported by the the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Assembly Government under the Convergence Programme for West Wales and the Valleys.
Awards from the Ceredigion Social Enterprise Growth Fund are likely to be between £30k and £125k, but there are no set limits. All projects that demonstrate significant impact and results – in terms of the project aims – will be considered. Eligible activities are likely to be capital focused but can have a supporting revenue element.
The launch events will involve a series of information sessions at
- Cardigan’s Guildhall (7.30pm – 9.00pm, 23 March 2010);
- the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth,(7.30pm – 9.00pm, 24 March 2010)
- the Talbot Hotel, Tregaron, (6.30pm – 8.00pm, 25 March 2010).
Anyone interested is encouraged to drop in to whichever session they might find most appropriate or convenient.
The new Ceredigion Social Enterprise Growth Fund aims to create at least 30 jobs, to support at least 20 social enterprises to increase their trading and help start at least two new social enterprises. Priority will be given to applications showing a high degree of community support and offering to deliver environmentally sustainable projects.
Councillor EJ Keith Evans, Leader of Ceredigion County Council, explained “We have long recognised the effectiveness of social enterprises in contributing to Ceredigion’s economy in an effective and sustainable manner. This money from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), under the Convergence Programme for West Wales and the Valleys, recognises this contribution and the potential of the sector to grow further, to create much needed jobs in our communities.”
Anyone wishing to receive more information on the events or directions to a venue should contact the Ceredigion Social Enterprise Growth Fund Project Officer, Maria Wilding on 01545 574159 during weekday office hours or email [email protected].
Other projects funded by the Convergence Programme for West Wales and the Valleys make funding available for small business investment through programmes such as the Local Investment Fund (LIF) for South West Wales and the Single Investment Fund (SIF) across the entire West Wales and the Valleys Convergence area. Anyone feeling that their business would benefit from knowing more of the availability of grant schemes further information should contact the Welsh Assembly Government’s Flexible Support for Business service on 03000 60 3000 or visit www.fs4b.wales.gov.uk Information on the Local Investment Fund for South West Wales is accessible from 01267 242390 or 242391 and by email on [email protected]. Antur Teifi, on 01239 621828, is also able to provide information to Ceredigion businesses on possible funding sources.
