Groundwork joins the Enterprise Development Programme as Environment Sector Partner

The Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) is expanding. Community charity, Groundwork is joining the partnership to support charities and social enterprises operating in the environment sector.

The EDP is developed and funded by Access – The Foundation for Social Investment and managed by Social Investment Business (SIB). It provides a broad range of support for charities and social enterprises working in certain sectors in England, helping them to expand or upscale their existing business or enterprise model and ways of working.

Groundwork will work closely alongside the chosen environmental organisations, supporting them to become more financially and environmentally sustainable. These organisations will work collaboratively with Groundwork to develop a package of support to help them on their enterprise journey, with support including an enabler network, mentoring, group-based learning opportunities, training and support on applying for grants.

The programme will be aimed at supporting Environmental not for profit voluntary or community organisations (including registered charities/companies) whose primary purpose is to deliver environmental programmes and projects.  We are expecting that organisations will vary in size, environmental focus and enterprise type. These will range from environmental conservation charities, Community growing CIC’s, community energy partnerships, Reuse and Recycle projects. We would expect that organisations applying are already delivering activity which has the ability to become a business enterprise. They should also be able to clearly show, senior management support for the application, planning, and sustainability.

Examples of eligible trading models are broad and could include; selling woodland products or produce from land management projects, selling services such as training or awareness courses, producing and selling a Standard Mark, or setting up an online retail or physical charity shop.

Funds generated by charities and social enterprises from trading can complement grant funding, act as a source of core funding or be reinvested back into organisations for further growth.

Stage 1 applications for environmental organisations opened on 15 June and the deadline is Tuesday 13 July.

Seb Elsworth, Chief Executive of Access – The Foundation for Social Investment – said: “Charities and social enterprises operating in the environment sector are improving communities and supporting people right around the country. Building more resilient business models is key to them being able to deliver more of this impact, and for many earned income can play a bigger role. We are delighted that Groundwork are joining the Enterprise Development partnership to embed support for enterprise in the environmental sector.”

To find out more or to apply, please visit: https://www.enterprisedevelopmentprogramme.org.uk/environment/