The initiative will provide five £5,000 grants, worth a total of £25,000, to help small businesses invest in practical sustainability improvements. In addition, five businesses will receive a dedicated workplace electric vehicle (EV) charger, including standard installation, supplied by Pod, EDF’s EV charging company. Businesses can apply for the grant, the EV charger, or both.

Funding can be used for a range of sustainability projects, including upgrading to more energy efficient equipment, improving the energy performance of business premises, installing renewable energy technologies such as solar panels or battery storage, or investing in workplace EV charging infrastructure.

The programme is open to UK based businesses with fewer than 50 employees that have been trading for at least 12 months and operate from a physical business premises.

“Small businesses are at the heart of the UK economy, but many face barriers when it comes to investing in sustainability” said Claire Nutt, Director of Small Business at EDF. “Through the Powering Local Businesses Sustainability Grant, we're helping businesses turn their ambitions into action by investing in energy efficiency, renewable technologies and other practical improvements that can reduce emissions and support long term growth.”

Applicants will be asked to outline how they would use the funding or EV charger to make their business more sustainable. Applications will be reviewed by an independent judging panel, with successful applicants contacted directly by Enterprise Nation.

“Small businesses have the ambition to become more sustainable, but access to funding can often hold them back” added Aaron Asadi, CEO of Enterprise Nation. “By partnering with EDF Small Business, we're giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to invest in changes that are good for their business and good for the environment. We look forward to seeing applications from innovative businesses across the UK.”

Applications are open from 21 July to 31 August.

For additional information:

EDF Small Business

Enterprise Nation

Powering Local Businesses