£2.8m of funding on offer for green projects

£2.8m of funding is to be invested in projects across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire which will preserve and protect the environment and promote more efficient use of resources (water, energy, land).

D2N2 – the private sector led partnership promoting economic growth and jobs creation across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – has announced calls for project bids, from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), part of its €250million European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). The deadline for applications is Friday May 27.

The two key activities under this call will be to encourage businesses to use resources more efficiently and improve the means by which land is protected environmentally. This would include measures to protect and restore biodiversity, soil quality and ecosystems, and to promote innovative technologies to improve environmental protection and efficient use of resources.

Organisations bidding for funding will need to provide at least half the costs of their projects, meaning a £2million project would receive £1million from the successful bidder and £1million from the D2N2 funding pot. Organisations’ matched funding must be from a source other than the European Union.

The minimum single bid which can be made to the D2N2 fund is £500,000, meaning projects costing less than a million pounds in total would not be considered. The project funding is designed to last for up to three years.

Free information sessions for potential bidders – which will cover ESIF’s strategic priorities in the D2N2 LEP area and an overview of the kinds of projects it is looking for – will be held in May on:

• Wednesday May 11, from 10am to 2.30pm – At the Enterprise Centre, University of Derby, Bridge Street, Derby

• Thursday May 12, from 10am to 2.30pm – At the Mansfield i-Centre, Oakham Business Park, Hamilton Way, Mansfield,

There will be a maximum of 25 spaces available at each session, with places allocated on a first come, first served basis.

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Part of D2N2’s mission is to move its area’s economy towards operating in a more sustainable way, so that future generations can enjoy a strong economy and healthy environment.

“These latest major calls are for projects to tackle climate change’s effects, protect the environment and support business growth. D2N2 is looking for large scale projects which will have a lasting impact.”

Queries about the two funding ‘calls’ should be directed to Richard Kirkland, ESIF Co-ordinator for D2N2, on email: richard.kirkland@d2n2lep.org

More information about the criteria which applicants will need to meet is available by clicking here.

Further information on how D2N2 is investing its European Structural and Investment Funds can be found at www.d2n2lep.org/EUFunding.