Organisations have until 27 May 2016 to apply for £500,000 to provide essential business support for manufacturing and engineering companies across Worcestershire.
Applications are being invited for proposals that will support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in manufacturing industries through the provision of specialist support and business advice.
The funded service will help to enhance the competitiveness of these businesses and support the creation and the extension of advanced capacities for products, services and development as well as supporting manufacturing SMEs with innovation and to grow in regional, national and international markets.
Applicants will be assessed in two stages of the application process, the outline and full application stages, with the deadline for the initial stage application being 27 May 2016.
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is part of the England 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme (ESIF) which launched in March 2015. This call for funding is one of three separate European Regional Development Fund calls currently available to bring forward provision for Worcestershire businesses and organisations with the other two focusing on Environment and Resource Efficiency and Information and Communication Technology.
Gary Woodman, Executive Director of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “We are pleased to be able to invite applications to provide tailored business support for small and medium sized enterprises in the manufacturing industry.
“The Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Support provision will help these companies to enhance their innovation and competitiveness and expand into larger markets. I would encourage any interested parties to apply for this funding before the 27 May 2016 deadline.”
For further information on European Structural and Investment Funds and to download the outline application form, visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding and for a direct link, visit gov.uk website. Information on all three calls currently open is available via Twitter @WorcsLEP and Worcestershire.Business.Central. can also provide support and business advice, which includes funding opportunities available within the County.