Social Business Growth Fund

Sep 3, 2021 | Funding News

There is still EU funding available to support growth and income generation for voluntary organisations in many regions of Wales, but time is running out to apply.

With the end in sight for European Funding in Wales, the Social Investment Cymru team at WCVA are encouraging voluntary organisations to get in touch to discuss ideas ahead of applying.

‘If you have an idea to expand your work that would create jobs while helping you increase your social impact, the Social Business Growth Fund could really help you get going’, said Alun Jones, Head of Social Investment Cymru.

There is funding available for those operating in Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, and Torfaen.

SBGF can provide organisations working in eligible regions of Wales with investment of up to £150,000. The support is a mix of grant and repayable assistance (with 0% interest), and the more you overachieve in creating jobs the less that needs to be repaid.

SBGF has been used in a variety of ways to support growth and income generation, for example:

  • Purchase of property (or expansion, refurbishment etc)
  • Rent, equipment and salary support
  • Scaling up services for the people you support

However, the fund can support any innovative idea that will lead to the organisation generating income and creating and sustaining jobs (so long as is within the spirit and scope of the fund). We’ve funded community pubs, dog kennels and even a mountain bike centre.

To find out more and discuss your ideas please get in contact with the Social Investment Cymru team on 0300 111 0124 or by emailing sic@wcva.cymru. If you’d like to arrange a call at a certain time you can book a one-to-one here. You can also find information on our Social Business Growth Fund page.

SBGF is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Welsh Government and is part of the suite of investments administered by Social Investment Cymru.