Ceredigion Social Enterprise Growth Fund - Final Call for applications

In order to ensure the available funds are allocated fairly and in good time, there will be a final call for CSEGF applications closing on Thursday 3rd January 2013.

Applications will be assessed in mid January 2013, with successful applicants notified by the end of January 2013.

There is £270,000 of grant remaining to be allocated, to potentially five Social Enterprises so individual awards are likely to be between £25,000 and £75,000.

The final completion date for all project activity will be 1^st February 2014

Grant guidelines can be downloaded using the link opposite.

Application forms and further support and advice are available from the Project Officer Maria Wilding, on 01545 574159 or maria.wilding@ceredigion.gov.uk

Ceredigion Social Enterprise Growth Fund

A grant scheme operating in Ceredigion designed to enable social enterprises to expand their trading activity, create permanent jobs and help ensure the sustainability of their organisation in the long term.

The fund has £1.35M to distribute over a four year period. Awards are likely to be between £30k and £125k, but there are no set limits and all projects that demonstrate significant impact and results in terms of the aims of the scheme will be considered. Eligible activities are likely to be capital focused but can have a supporting revenue element.

The grant is discretionary and is administered by Ceredigion County Council on behalf of the Adfywio Ceredigion Regeneration Partnership. It is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Ceredigion County Council, and is part of the Convergence programme in West Wales and the Valleys.

The grants will operate on a rolling programme. Applications will be assessed by a grants panel meeting on a monthly/bimonthly basis as the need arises.

Applications should take four to five weeks from the date of the assessment panel to final approval.

We are looking for proposals from new and existing Social Enterprises that:

• Move the enterprise towards or into long term sustainability through increased trading capacity or a reduction in operating costs
• Demonstrate a community need for services
• Demonstrate detailed financial planning and a robust business proposal
• Lead to the creation of permanent jobs within Ceredigion that will be continued after funding has ceased
• Contribute to climate change mitigation
• Integrate into other initiatives such as Communities First or emanting from the Strategic Area Designation 
• Generate non public sector cash investment during the lifetime of the project

To be eligible a social enterprise should be a not for profit legal trading entity that is community owned.

The above information is intended as a guide only, please contact us to arrange a meeting or discuss whether your project is eligible.

Maria Wilding, Project Officer,

European and Community Regeneration Unit

Ceredigion County Council

Penmorfa, Aberaeron SA46 0PA.

Email: mariaw@ceredigion.gov.uk

Tel: 01545 574159