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SWEF Enterprise Fund

Grant size £500 – £2,000
Location Lancashire
Deadline N/A
Decision Date Within 6 weeks

About the Fund

The SWEF Enterprise Fund awards grants to young people in Lancashire who need support with business costs that they would otherwise not be able to afford, and particularly those who are not in education, employment or training. This is not a loan scheme and recipients do not need to pay the grant back.

As part of the programme, SWEF provides the opportunity to join a network of peers who are also in the early stage of starting their business to share ideas, experiences and learn.

Who Can apply?

You can apply for a grant from this Fund if you:

Live in Lancashire

Are aged 18 to 30

Can demonstrate a financial need for the grant (e.g. you are on universal credit)

Are launching or running a new business that has been trading for under two years

You have a business bank account or are setting one up

(grants are only paid into business bank accounts)

Sole traders/Limited companies/CICs limited by shares

What can I use this money for?

  • Essential equipment or materials
  • Website building
  • Marketing costs
  • Product development
  • Training

What can’t I use this money for?

  • Salaries
  • Debt repayment
  • Retrospective purchases
  • Rent and utility bills
  • Ongoing software subscriptions or app development
  • Development of businesses carrying out invasive aesthetic procedures
  • Dual-use items (car, driving lessons, mobile phone)
  • New computers/tablets/phones (refurbished items may be considered)

Please see full SWEF eligibility criteria here: https://www.swef.uk/eligibility

Amount Available
Depending on the current stage of your business, you can apply for a START-UP GRANT of up to £500 or a BUSINESS GRANT of up to £2,000.
How and when to apply
There are no deadlines for the Fund, you can apply when you are ready to.

The Process:

  1. You will complete the EOI form for CFLM to determine your eligibility.
  2. If you are eligible, CFLM will then send you a link to either the start-up or business grant application form.
  3. SWEF receives your completed application form and may invite you to a short online meeting (approx. 15mins).
  4. Following the meeting, the SWEF team member on your call will present to the wider SWEF panel and a final decision will be made on your application.
  5. CFLM will be notified of the decision and contact you, either way.

 

If your application is successful, the grant will be paid to your business bank account by CFLM, and you will need to do the following:
  • Attend a SWEF meetup/network event
  • Join the closed SWEF Facebook group
  • Sign up to the monthly newsletter
  • For a start-up grant, you will provide feedback 6 months after the grant award
  • For a business grant, you will provide feedback 12 months after the grant award

Requirements

  • Please complete the expression of interest (EOI) form as fully as possible to enable us to determine eligibility.
  • Please provide the contact details of your referee within the EOI form (if relevant)
  • Please provide a copy of your business bank statement (dated within last three months)
  • Please provide a copy of your passport, driving licence, or similar to prove age.
  • Please provide proof of benefits (if relevant)

If you have any questions during the application process, call the programmes team on 0330 440 4900 or email us at applications@cflm.org.uk

Apply Now
The above link will take you to the Expression of Interest form which will allow the team at CFLM to confirm your eligibility before you complete SWEF’s full application.