Regional efficiency fund opens

Launched just before Christmas, the Business Resource Efficiency Improvement Grants (BREIG) scheme offers regional SMEs a trio of green funding opportunities.

Businesses can apply for:

• Capital Grants worth up to £8,000 (20% of the total project costs) to buy new equipment that will help them improve efficiency, cut waste and reduce energy consumption.
• Consultancy Grants worth up to £2,000 (50% of the total project costs) to work alongside specialist advisors to identify and implement changes that will improve efficiency and environmental performance.
• Training Grants worth up to £500 (50% of the total project costs) for staff to undergo training courses focused on efficiency, for example, the Chartered Institute of Waste Management's awareness courses or training in environmental management systems.

Applicants should demonstrate how any funding will help to achieve at least one of the following outputs:

• A reduction of gas, electricity or oil use equivalent to saving 50 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
• A reduction in the amount of hazardous materials used.
• A reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfill by at least 50 tonnes per year.
• A reduction in water use by at least 50 tonnes per year.

The scheme is funded by Yorkshire Forward through their CO2Sense Yorkshire initiative, and can be accessed through YFM Business Development Ltd until March 2012.

For further information about the programme, visit the dedicated BREIG website (opens a new window)

Source: Yorkshire Forward, 26/01/2010