SWEF Enterprise Fund
About the Fund
The SWEF Enterprise Fund awards grants to young people in Merseyside 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?
Live in Merseyside
Are aged 18 to 30
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)
Please bear in mind that applications based solely on business ideas won’t be considered. You’ll need to show that you have taken steps to get your business off the ground by putting time and energy and thought into it.
Information on any market research that you’ve undertaken as well as sales and cost projections will all help to make your application more likely to succeed.
What can I use this money for?
The SWEF Enterprise Grants are for things that can help take your start-up business to the next level. It can help with:
- Essential equipment or materials
- Website building
- Product development
- Training
What can’t I use this money for?
The grant can’t be used for:
- Salaries
- Debt repayment
- Rent and utility bills
- Ongoing software subscriptions
- Development of businesses carrying out invasive aesthetic procedures
The grant can’t be used for new computers, tablets or phones. On a match-funded basis, SWEF will consider applications for refurbished technology. However, for this to be considered, you’ll need to:
- Explain why the laptop, tablet or phone will transform your business
- Provide a link to the refurbished item with an explanation of why you need this piece of specific technology.
You’ll need to complete the application form as fully as possible. Tell us about anything particular about your background, including your economic background, which would help us to understand any challenges you have faced or still face.
Requirements
Complete and submit the appropriate grant application form, including providing the contact details of your REFEREE. This should be someone who can tell us about your character, potential and can confirm your circumstances.
Your reference could be a:
- Tutor
- Support worker
- Employer
A copy of a RECENT BANK STATEMENT (no more than 3 months old) to confirm your account details should you be successful.
If you don’t have a business bank account yet, please let us know.
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.
Supporting Young People with Diverse Needs
We are here to offer additional help if needed:
- Interviewer details: We will happily share pictures of the SWEF team members who will be attending the meeting, so you know who to expect.
- Interview questions: Please feel free to email the questions ahead of time, to help with preparation. Interview duration: The interview will be short, no longer than 30 minutes. We are here to help.
- Camera-off option: After a friendly ‘hello’ with cameras on, you are welcome to turn your camera off for the rest of the meeting if that feels more comfortable.
How and when to apply
There are no deadlines for the Fund, you can apply when you are ready to.
Have a look at the two options below to see which works for you:
Start Up Grant
This grant is for companies who are in the very early stages, pre-revenue, or have just begun trading.
You can apply for up to £500.
Business Grant
This grant is for sole trades/ limited companies that have been trading for less than 2 years and show significant dedication.
You can apply for up to £2,000.
What’s Next?
Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside will check your application to make sure it’s complete and eligible for funding.
We will then share it with the funder, SWEF Enterprise, who may invite you to a 30minute online meeting to find out more about your business. We will email you to arrange a date and time.
You will receive a grant decision after the meeting has taken place.
If your application is unsuccessful, SWEF will explain why and may provide you with some feedback on how to improve your business case.
If your application is successful, the grant will be paid to your business bank account by Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside 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
- Provide feedback to Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside 6 months after the grant award
- Provide feedback to SWEF 12 months after the grant award, including details about how you have spent the award and what you have achieved
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.