Deadline approaching for funding bids

With £3.2 million to invest, the Low Carbon KEEP programme, which is managed by Anglia Ruskin University, has already supported over 35 successful projects, providing £675,000 of funding to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Low Carbon KEEP programme runs until December 2014, and the deadline to apply for a maximum 18-month project is May this year. 

SMEs already engaged in the programme have used the funding in various ways.  Calex Electronics, a manufacturer of temperature measurement tools based in Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire, has utilised Low Carbon KEEP funding to design a new infrared temperature sensor that has enabled the company and its customers to significantly reduce carbon emissions and resource consumption.  Witham-based Essex Safety Glass has been researching a more cost and energy-efficient material to be used in the laminating processes for ballistic and fire resistant glass.

The programme offers grant support to help businesses improve their capabilities and a recent graduate is employed to spearhead the project, closely supported by an academic expert.

Projects can run from four to 18 months, and the Low Carbon KEEP grant covers 40% of the major costs of the project.  The grant can be utilised to create new products, develop new competencies and achieve industry standards, while reducing carbon emissions. 

In addition, the Low Carbon KEEP capital grant scheme allows SMEs to recoup 40% of the cost of purchasing capital items, such as essential equipment or software, which are fundamental to the success of a Low Carbon KEEP project.

For information about the Low Carbon KEEP programme visit www.anglia.ac.uk/lowcarbon, phone 0845 196 4310 or email lowcarbon@anglia.ac.uk

For details of Low Carbon KEEP projects from across the East of England, please visit www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/microsites/low_carbon_keep/approved_low_carbon.html 


 

Low Carbon KEEP

Anglia Ruskin University is managing the Low Carbon KEEP programme on behalf of the region. The programme’s objective is the leverage of Higher Education Institution (HEI) expertise in low carbon technologies into the small to medium size business (SME) communities in Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Norfolk.

 

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme which runs from 2007 to 2014. This is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development.

The European Regional Development Fund is making a real difference to people and businesses in the east of England. With €110.9 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, the European Regional Development Fund is enhancing the competitiveness of the East of England’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment.

The programme in the East of England has a theme of low carbon economic growth with the following priorities:

Priority 1 - Promoting innovation and knowledge transfer to improve productivity, to encourage commercialisation across the region’s research and development base, and establish energy efficient and clean technologies.

Priority 2 - Stimulating enterprise and supporting successful businesses by overcoming barriers to business creation and expansion, improving access to finance for business and supporting the development of social enterprises.

Priority 3 - Ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption by working with communities (both urban and rural) to support local jobs and business growth.

For further information please visit http://www.communities.gov.uk/regeneration/regenerationfunding/europeanregionaldevelopment/eastengland/

 
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For more press information please contact:

Jon Green on t: 0845 196 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk

Andrea Hilliard on t: 0845 196 4727, e: andrea.hilliard@anglia.ac.uk
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