Funding Opportunities

• By 3 February 2020. Warwickshire County Council has issued Health and Wellbeing grants from Warwickshire Public Health for between £5,000 and £10,000. 
• By 11 February 2020. Ecosurety is investing £1million in projects to reduce the environmental impact of packaging, batteries or WEEE through innovation or research in the UK. 
• By 19 February 2020. UK businesses can apply for a share of up to £12 million for practical demonstrator projects in smart and sustainable plastic packaging.
• By 21 February 2020. The NEA's 2020 Smart Energy GB in Communities programme offers grants funding and support to organisations reaching people who are unaware of smart meters. 
• By 26 February 2020. Farmers and businesses can apply for a share of up to £15 million to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly ways to produce the UK’s food.
• By 22 April 2020. Innovate UK is investing up to £25 million in the best game-changing and commercially viable innovative or disruptive ideas. Applications can come from any area.
• By 30 June 2021. The Worcestershire Natural Networks scheme aims to boost biodiversity in an ERDF-funded venture which includes SWM members Worcestershire County Council.
• By 31 December 2021. Businesses in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can benefit from free energy audits and 60% grant funding towards energy efficiency measures.
• By 31 December 2021. Marches Renewable Energy is a grant scheme allowing eligible applicants to apply for a 50% grant for the installation of renewable technologies. 
• By 31 December 2022. GBSLEP Habitats Grants Programme is still open and is focused on reducing dereliction and the improvement and development of natural habitats. 
• By 2025. The Severn Trent Community Fund is giving away £10million over the next five years to support local projects, charities and community groups in the Severn Trent region. 
• Monthly. Monthly themed funding is available for Birmingham based projects that aim to deliver positive change.  
• On-going. The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) is a £10 million programme which supports rural communities in England to develop renewable energy projects.
• On-going. The Community and Environment Fund is to provide benefits to communities along the route disrupted by the construction of HS2.
• On-going. BEIS funding of around £162 million is available for industrial research and innovation, including Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS).
• On-going. The UK Government has announced how to apply for the Urban Tree Challenge fund, which has £10m available for the planting of trees in urban areas in England.
• On-going. The next round of the Energy Catalyst Programme is due to launch. Up to £20m will be available to support businesses to develop sustainable energy technologies. 

Over the past year we have promoted >£900 million of accessible funding.

Upcoming SWM and Member Events

• West Midlands Combined Authority's Thrive at Work/This Is Me initiatives are being showcased on 4 February in Birmingham, focusing on improving employee wellbeing.
• SHAP is running a conference on 4 February in Birmingham, focusing on two key themes: The West Midlands Fuel Poverty Programme and the SHAP new-build healthy standard fit for 2050.
• University of Wolverhampton is running its second Construction Futures Forum taking place on 11 February in the city.
• Cenex is running a webinar on the Jigsaw models used in R&D projects to explore potential scenarios and demonstrate their capabilities. It takes place on 11 February at 11:00.
• sben's Environmental Legislation Update Event, on 13 February in Penkridge, will break down key pieces of environmental legislation so you can understand what requirements apply to you.
• University of Birmingham's Energy Institute is running an event on 25 February showcasing how it can support your business and help shape the net zero landscape of the West Midlands.
• Veolia's 20/20 Vision: Healthcare and Education events on 27 and 28 February will include the latest policy changes, better ways to reduce and recycle waste and improve energy efficiency.
• EBRI's Biochar Workshop on 11 March will focus on the wide variety of benefits and uses of biochar including carbon capture, water treatment and soil improvement.
• SWM, in partnership with the Innovation Alliance, is running its 25th Innovative Low Carbon Working Group meeting on 12 March, hosted at the Advanced Propulsion Centre.
• Climate Change Solutions is running its 16th 'Hydrogen Fuel Cell Convention' on the 17 March at the NEC.
• Meres and Mosses Business Environment Network's Refuse, Reduce, Recycle, Reuse event in Wem on 25 March looks at how a circular approach can be beneficial.
• Aston University's student society WEST is running a 'Green and Sustainable Careers Fair' on 25 March in the Student Union and exhibitor spaces are available.
• EBRI's Value from Waste - Master Class Courses on 25-26 March will provide exclusive content for leaders covering the technical and commercial fundamentals of bioenergy.
• Cenex's annual LCV event is on 9 and 10 September and sales are now open for exhibitors. Demand for space is already extremely high, so secure your stand now.

A full list of upcoming events is available here as well as our full member list here.

Other SWM and Member Updates 

• SWM welcomes new Board member Angelina Bassford from SWM Member Cenex.
• SWM welcomes new member Ineuvo Ltd who focus on providing innovative sustainable solutions to waste management, wastewater treatment, food processing and agri-food sectors.
• SWM has outlined how we can support you with your climate emergency declarations and meeting net zero targets. We also want to hear from you so we can share good practice.
• SWM are running our 'Meet the Member' programme for 2020, we want to know what you've got planned for 2020 and how we can support you. Please get in touch if you'd like to meet up.
• Mott MacDonald is looking for a Principal Environmental Consultant to work in Birmingham and provide a wide range of specialist environmental support to clients.
• Coventry University is looking for a Sustainability Advisor, in particular someone who is passionate about making a difference and experience in delivering sustainability initiatives. 
• Worcestershire County Council's Sustainability Team is seeking a dedicated project manager to deliver the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Programme.
• Worcestershire County Council is also looking for two Project Support Officers for their Public Sector Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon Opportunities Programmes.
• Coventry City Council is looking for a Business Energy Advisor to join its Sustainability and Low Carbon Team.
• Staffordshire County Council is seeking a passionate and enthusiastic Sustainability Professional to join their multidisciplinary Waste Management and Sustainability Team.
• City of Wolverhampton Council is has opened a consultation on their ‘Future Generations – Our Climate Commitment' and you have until 28 February to respond. 
• Sandwell Council has opened an eight-week public consultation to 15 March focusing on Sandwell's Air Quality Strategy and Draft Climate Change Strategy.
• West Midlands Combined Authority published its #WM2041 discussion document in relation to their target of net zero emissions by 2041; the consultation is open until 12 March.
• West Midlands Combined Authority's Mayor heads to China to meet potential Gigafactory investors as part of the WMCA’s plans to build a major battery production plant.
• West Midlands Combined Authority and pupils from Smethwick were joined by the Cycling and Walking Ambassador for the West Midlands to celebrate its WOW challenge.
• West Midlands Combined Authority's Thrive at Work Wellbeing Awards Programme will ensure our working population is supported by improving health and wellbeing in organisations.
• Business in the Community has opened applications for 'The Responsible Business Awards 2020' to celebrate businesses making a significant impact. The deadline is 21 February.
• Bryt Energy has released the first instalment of its new newsletter covering latest news from the world of energy and sustainability.
• Mott MacDonald features in Engineering Matter's new podcast on how engineers can prevent our planet’s temperature rising past the point of no return.

SWM members can send their events, research or other contributions to enquiries@swm.org.uk to be included in the next newsletter. Not a member? There are many advantages to SWM membership; find out more here.

Other News and Events

• The Committee on Climate Change is calling for a major shift in UK land use in its latest report, to deliver Net Zero emissions by 2050.
• Triple Point Heat Network's Funding Workshop and Application Form Seminar on 4 February in Birmingham will give an overview of the range of support available to heat network projects.
• Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LEP has put together its draft Local Industrial Strategy and is open for comments until 10 February.
• Walsall Council's Black Country Technical Assistance Team are running their first ERDF Capacity Building Workshops at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley on 13 February.
• Innovate UK is looking for innovative SMEs in Mobility, Sustainability or Housing to start conversations with UK Local Authorities about innovative tech. Apply before 14 February.
• Innovate UK is looking for Food Tech SMEs to showcase their innovations at the 2020 Food Industry Innovation Food Tech Showcases on 25 and 27 February.
• UKRI is inviting submissions to further opportunities through the UK Climate Resilience programme, funded through the Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF). 
• The Awards for Excellence take place on 14 May, including awards in Recycling and Waste Management. The deadline to apply is 13 March.
• The Wildlife Trust is asking the Prime Minister Boris Johnson to stop and rethink the HS2 project. You can view more information and read its open letter to Boris Johnson.
• Sustrans is to recruit 50 Air Quality Champions in Birmingham as part of the Brum Breathes programme which has been set up to improve air quality in the city.

For a full list of all our upcoming events, visit our events page here. For news items, visit our news page here.

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