LoCASE | Low Carbon Across the South and East

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Stimulating Demand

...by improving business competitiveness through the implementation of energy and resource efficiency measures and reducing CO2 emissions

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Supporting Supply

...by bringing together demand and local supply across the region and driving new low carbon/renewable energy products and services.

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Innovation Support

...by working with businesses to embed bespoke innovation into their products or processes using academic expertise.

We are delighted to announce that we have had our follow on programmes approved by HM Government. This means that we are in a position to help our South and East SMEs with grant funding (including those we’ve helped previously) right up until Spring 2023. This can be standard SMEs in the region who are looking at ‘green’ projects or LCREE/EGSS firms seeking grant funding for business development purposes, especially pertinent through COVID-19 adaptation. Maximum 40% ERDF grant contributions will remain at a limit of £10K with the minimum grant of £1K for qualifying projects. There is going to be plenty of funding available to help our SMEs in this difficult transition time. We have worked hard behind the scenes to try to adapt and streamline our delivery and processes to best suit this increasingly digital world but there will still be real people to talk to and assist in your locality!

Totalling over £52.6 million and funded by the European Regional Development Fund 2014 – 2020, The Low Carbon Across the South and East Programme is a partnership between Kent County Council, East Sussex County Council, Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Thurrock Council, University of Brighton, West Sussex County Council, Surrey County Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Winchester City Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, and the University of Portsmouth.

LoCASE has helped a grand total of 1,278 SMEs across the SELEP region.

£7.05 million of ERDF grants were claimed by 929 SMEs.

What is LoCASE and how can my business benefit?

The Low Carbon Across the South and East (LoCASE) programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund to provide a free business support programme in the South and East.

How will it do it?

The LoCASE Programme brings together 3 key requirements for the growth of a low carbon economy – “Stimulating Demand”, “Supporting Supply” and “Transferring Knowledge”.

Where is LoCASE delivered and for how long?

LoCASE is being delivered from Spring 2016 until Spring 2023 across the South and East. The partnership consists of local authorities and universities across four Local Enterprise areas.

STEM Training

The Steps To Environmental Management (STEM) scheme can help your business operate in a more environmentally friendly way, save money and win new business. It provides tools and templates to build an environmental management system aligned with the requirements of ISO 14001, a widely recognised international standard, or help you redesign an existing system. Workshops are provided free of charge, which focus on each of the three stages of the scheme so you are able to progress at your own speed. Businesses that complete each level of the scheme to receive an electronic certificate and a logo they can use to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the environment. Please check the calendar for STEM dates.

Events

A number of events and conferences will be supported by the project to help share information about the low carbon market including technologies and procurement whilst also providing you the chance to network with other businesses. Find out more here.