South Holland organisations and firms could win share of £2m from Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership

Innovative businesses in South Holland which are looking to develop environmentally friendly projects could win a share of £2million of funding.

The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is to reallocate £2m of its existing funding towards a new Clean Growth Accelerator Fund to help tackle the impact of climate change.

Last month we reported that global companies are looking to invest in South Holland as part of the UK Food Valley project.

It is encouraging organisations and businesses to submit projects that will help to develop innovation and R&D ideas focused on decarbonisation and clean growth.

Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: "We are delighted to announce our new Clean Growth Accelerator Fund for Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland.

“Not only will this fund help us to achieve our Net Zero ambitions, but it will also ensure that innovation remains at the heart of our economic growth.”

The essential criteria for this fund are as follows:

Proposals should be capital focused but can include a revenue element which should not exceed 10% of the project cost

Schemes must be over £1 million in overall value with a minimum grant requested of £500,000

Projects that are related to clean growth and driven by R&D and innovation will be considered, but they must relate to one of the following LEP game changers or sectors:

UK Food Valley - which includes South Holland and the Holbeach FEZ

Humber Freeport

Clean energy

Defence

Visitor economy

Health and care

“The funds must be spent by July 2024, and outcomes must be delivered by 2026/27, so any proposals submitted need to be already well progressed in terms of design, planning and match funding,” said Pat.

Match funding identified must be a minimum of 50% (further grant funding level restrictions may apply to SMEs according to government subsidy regulations).

Schemes must demonstrate direct public/private investment leverage and job creation and/or research and development outputs with clear clean growth-related outcomes.

Examples could include:

an innovation, research and development project focused on clean growth / net zero

reducing carbon emissions by 2027

reducing nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions

contributing to Green Masterplan Net Zero targets

decarbonisation of the National Grid or heat production

creating EV charging points

demonstrating the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)

introduction of new clean growth-related products to the market

Applicants must be located in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland. Business cases will be welcomed from December 10.

The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Monday February 28.

Full details of the Clean Growth Accelerator Fund and the outline business case template can be found here: https://www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk/funding-and-projects/other-funding/clean-growth-accelerator-fund/