Local Growth Fund – Green Business Support Grant

Green for grow! Funding is available to help businesses in East Dunbartonshire make a world of difference.

The Local Growth Fund (LGF) is providing focused financial support to help businesses in East Dunbartonshire to expand, innovate, become more resilient and operate sustainably.

The aim of the Green Business Support Grant is to support projects that reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency and contribute to net zero goals.

The LGF is funded by the UK Government and has three investment themes:

• Enabling local growth infrastructure
• Support for businesses
• Skills and employment support.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available (conditions apply).

PLEASE NOTE:

• This grant is for business with commercial premises only
• Businesses who have not previously received grant funding will be prioritised
• Only businesses based within the East Dunbartonshire area will be eligible for this fund.

The fund is open to:

• Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in East Dunbartonshire
• Social enterprises engaged in trading activities.

You must:

• Supply evidence that the project will result in reductions in energy use and/or carbon emissions (if you do not have such evidence, please email business.support@eastdunbarton.gov.uk)
• Have been trading for at least 12 months
• Be based in East Dunbartonshire with commercial premises
• Have no outstanding debts to East Dunbartonshire Council
• Comply with all legal, building standards, planning, environmental, and health & safety requirements.

The Green Business Support Grant can be used to fund projects which help businesses progress towards net zero and to reduce carbon emissions.

This could include:

• Energy-efficient lighting, heating, insulation or equipment
• Renewable energy installations (solar, heat pumps, etc.)
• Waste reduction, recycling or sustainable packaging projects
• Supporting the switch to active travel.

It cannot be used to fund:

• Routine maintenance or repairs
• Costs incurred before grant approval
• Projects without clear environmental impact
• Statutory compliance costs (e.g. health & safety)
• Staff wages or ongoing overheads
• Purely promotional or marketing activity
• Electric vehicles.

The grant can cover up to 100% of project costs, up to a maximum of £2,500. For projects costs above £2,500 the applicant must provide 50% match funding (e.g. for a £6,000 project, the grant would contribute £4,250 and the applicant would contribute £1,750).

It cannot be used to cover the VAT element of the project.
Grant support from East Dunbartonshire Council cannot exceed 10% of recent annual turnover.

To apply, submit a complete application form with the following evidence:

• Latest company accounts
• Business bank statements (last three months)
• Project quotations
• Evidence of Business Energy/Carbon Audit dated within the last 12 months (you must supply evidence that the project will result in reductions in energy use and/or carbon emissions)
• Proof of business registration.