Part of the programme, worth £2.8 million, aims to fund the low carbon economy across all industries. The low carbon industry in Greater Birmingham consists of 1,580 companies, employing nearly 29,000 people. Companies can apply for grants worth at least £250,000.

A second funding package – valued at £3.4 million – aims to promote research and innovation across all sectors. Organisations can apply for grants of at least £250,000.

The funding makes up part of the region’s European Regional Development Fund Operational Programme, which has been set up to stimulate economic development across Greater Birmingham.

Pat Hanlon, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership Board Director for Access to Finance (cover pic.), said: “These funding packages will help local organisations to innovate, and also enable a wide range of providers to develop greater carbon efficiency. I would urge all organisations that could be eligible for the funding, to get in touch with GBSLEP for more information before the deadline passes.”

Priority Axis 4 of ERDF, which covers the £2.8 million low carbon economy funding, is available to organisations looking to focus on:
· Promoting the production and distribution of energy derived from renewable resources
· Promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy use in enterprises
· Supporting energy efficiency, smart energy management and renewable energy use in public infrastructure
· Promoting low-carbon strategies for all types of territories, particularly urban areas
· Promoting research and innovation in, and adoption of, low carbon technologies

ERDF’s Priority Axis 1, the £3.4 million funding into research and innovation, covers the following areas:
· Enhancing research and innovation infrastructure and capacities to develop research and innovation excellence
· Promoting business investment in research and innovation
· Developing links and synergies between enterprises, research and development centres and the Higher Education sector
· Supporting technological and applied research, pilot lines, early product validation actions, advance manufacturing capabilities and first production

ERDF offers financial support through match-funding for projects in the Greater Birmingham region that meet its objectives. Of the £6.2 million available in Priority Axes 1 and 4, £4.3 million is ring-fenced for organisations across Tamworth, Lichfield, Cannock and East Staffordshire, with the remaining £1.9 million on offer in Birmingham, Solihull, Redditch, Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest.