Where to find green small business grants

By Anna Jordan on Small Business UK - Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

UPDATED: Many entrepreneurs are looking to eco small business grants to help them fund environmental projects, adopt green technologies and become more sustainable.

Funding comes under the following categories and are often distributed by local authorities:

• Renewable energy business grants
• Sustainability grants
• Energy efficiency grants
• Sustainable innovation
• Green jobs

The green business grants below have been divided according to where they are in the UK and contain a link to the application page which will give you more information.

UK-wide

Amazon Sustainability Accelerator

For start-ups developing sustainability-focused products or recycling technologies that help to keep materials circulating. It’s a three-month equity-free programme supporting early stage start-ups that have a positive impact on the environment.

There are two separate tracks for two separate cohorts: one for sustainability focused products and one for recycling technologies.

The funding part of the package includes a £10,000 grant, £500 Sponsored Amazon Advertising Credits and US$25,000 AWS Activate Credits. You’ll also receive specialised mentorship and a tailored curriculum of workshops, bootcamps and expert speakers.

Apply here to sign up for the 2025 cohort.

Workplace Charging Scheme

The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints.

It is available in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but not in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man.

The grant covers up to 75 per cent of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:

• £350 per socket
• 40 sockets across all sites per applicant – for instance, if you would like to install them in 40 sites, you will have one socket available per site

After applying using the online application form, successful applicants are issued with a unique identification voucher code by email, which can then be given to any OZEV-authorised commercial chargepoint installer.

The Eco Providers UK – Heating and Insulation Grants

Grants are available for private and social landlords to support retrofit property improvements to reduce carbon emissions across housing stock.

The aim of this fund is to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions from social and private housing via the provision of full retrofitting services or direct funding to help landlords reduce capital expenditure on eco-friendly housing improvements.

Eligible costs include:

• Internal wall, Room in Roof and under floor insulation installation
• Central heating and electric storage heater installation
• Solar PV
• Air source heat pumps

England

Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG)

Receive a maximum of £30,500 per project for creating a woodland.

Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme (West Midlands and Warwickshire)

The Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme (DNZ) in association with the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) supports businesses with fewer than 250 employees based in the West Midlands and Warwickshire who want to save money on energy, waste and water bills and maximise low carbon opportunities. Grants are available for between £1,000 and £100,000 to fund up to 50 per cent of the cost of installing energy efficient measures, which also include free audits, workshops and technical support.

Net Zero Worcestershire

In affiliation with the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS), Worcestershire County are offering fully funded decarbonisation and energy efficiency assessments with an expert energy advisor for eligible businesses. The review can help you discover areas to reduce your carbon footprint, and there is also an opportunity to apply for grant funding for up to 75 per cent of costs associated with implementing projects.

Funding varies according to district. The grant can be used to fund a variety of business activities, including, but not limited to:

• Lighting 
• Compressors
• Insulation
• Fast-shutting doors
• Renewable technology
• Heat recovery
• Heaters and boilers
• Energy efficiency equipment that leads to process improvements

Low Carbon Workspaces

Low Carbon Workspaces is supplying match-funded eco business grants between £1,000 and £6,750 for businesses to take on green initiatives like double glazing, LED lighting and smart heating. It’s open to SMEs in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire.

Conservation grant scheme, Howardian Hills

There are now two grant schemes available under the Howardian Hills umbrella.

This one is a Yorkshire-based grant for community infrastructure projects and countryside conservation work in the Howardian Hills Area of Natural Beauty (AONB).

Assistance normally sits in the 30-75 per cent range but with this scheme you may be funded 100 per cent of your project.

The Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme supports farmers and land managers along with people who work and live in these areas. The scheme will run until March 2025. The support is for farmers and land managers who are carrying out projects to mitigate climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and cultural heritage or support nature-friendly and sustainable farm shop businesses.

The programme will fund a portion of your costs – the amount will depend on how much the project will benefit your business. Your project must end by March 2025.

Nottingham City Council Business Decarbonisation Grant

The objective of this grant is to support retail businesses in eligible areas of Nottingham to reduce their energy related costs whilst also seeking to reduce the city’s carbon emissions.

The maximum grant per business is £10,000 and the minimum grant per business is £1,000. The grant will support up to 50 per cent of the costs of installing carbon reduction measures.

Funding for Farmers, Growers and Land Managers

This is a page detailing several grants and funding opportunities for farmers and land managers.

Pig, beef and dairy farmers whose farming systems produce slurry are able to apply for a grant which will allow them to build new slurry stores, replace slurry stores and expand existing slurry stores. You can apply for a grant from £25,000.

You can also apply for money to improve tree health and for grants from the Farming and Innovation Programme.

Click on the link above to find out more about this grant and others for farmers and land managers.

Green Port Hull

Green Port Hull aims to be the UK’s world class centre for renewable energy, particularly for the offshore wind industry

There is support on offer for companies wanting to grow or establish their business in the area, including.

• Finance for Growth
• ICT for Growth
• Business Growth Scheme
• Hull Business Energy Efficiency Scheme (grant funding of up to £10,000 available)
• Electric Vehicle Chargepoints (as part of the UK Workplace Charging Scheme)

Energy Efficient Projects for Greater Manchester SMEs

Green Economy is offering Energy Efficiency Grants of up to £5,000 (before VAT) towards energy efficiency improvements in your (Manchester-based) business.

The grants are available for a limited time on a first-come-first-served basis and can be used on projects including:

• Heating equipment upgrades, including heat pumps
• Replacement motors, drives, compressors
• Upgrading refrigeration equipment
• Process efficiency investments

Brum Breathes Capital Grant

This £10.05m grant scheme aims to help SMEs within the West Midlands region to meet European standards. You must have been trading for more than 12 months and own or lease heavy goods vehicles or light good vehicles that are not complaint with Clean Air Zone emission standards. You must also be able to demonstrate your use of clean air zones through your commercial operations.

The total grant package for each business is up to £180,000 – that’s up to £15,000 per heavy goods vehicle and up to 35 per cent of the maximum cost of an upgrade up at a maximum of £4,000 for each light goods vehicle.

Innovation Worcestershire Grant

Whether you’re looking to develop a revolutionary product or service, streamline your processes or implement new technology, the innovation grant will be able to help you do just that.

Registering for the programme is simple, all you need to do is follow these steps. You can email: grants@worcestershire.gov.uk or register an expression of interest through the website linked above.

Funding available in your area:

• Bromsgrove District £2,500 to £20,000
• Malvern Hills District £2,500 to £15,000
• Redditch Borough £2,500 to £20,000
• Worcester City £2,500 to £15,000
• Wychavon District £2,500 to £15,000
• Wyre Forest £2,500 to £20,000

Grants are awarded on a competitive and match-funded basis, meaning the SME will need to provide at least 60 per cent of the total cost of the project. Amounts available is subject to change.

The research and development grant can only be used to fund activities directly related to the development and/or introduction to market of innovative products or services, including, but not limited to:

• New tooling and equipment
• Creating a prototype
• Product testing and certification
• IP/ trademark protection
• External market research
• New marketing materials
• Product launch

West Yorkshire Community Climate Grants

The scheme works through West Yorkshire’s five local authorities of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield, who will offer grants between £5,000 and £50,000 to fund climate friendly schemes.

The grants are open to Voluntary groups, Community groups, and Social enterprises. The main themes are: sustainable energy improvements in community buildings, clean energy generation projects, schemes that increase public transport use, walking, and cycling, and schemes that increase community access to green space and nature.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

With this scheme, you can get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.

You can get one grant per property. Current grants are available for:

• £7,500 towards an air source heat pump
• £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump (including water source heat pumps and those on shared ground loops)
• £5,000 towards a biomass boiler

You’re eligible if:

• Own the property you’re applying for (including if it’s a business, a second home or a property you rent out to tenants)
• Be replacing fossil fuel heating systems (such as oil, gas or electric)

You’re still eligible if you’ve already had funding to make your property more energy efficient, for example by insulating it.

Workplace Travel Service Nottingham: Grants

Benefit from up to £25,000 financial support to help meet the costs of workplace travel improvements such as electric vehicle charge points, cycle parking, showers, pool bikes, car sharing and car parking management.

You’re eligible if your business is inside the Nottingham City boundary. Take a look on the webpage for what the grant will and won’t support.

Green Heat Network Fund

The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) is a three-year £288m capital grant fund that will support:

• The commercialisation and construction of new low and zero carbon (LZC) heat networks (including the supply of cooling)
• The retrofitting and expansion of existing heat networks

There will be a series of quarterly application rounds until the scheme closes in 2025. Individuals, households and sole traders cannot apply.

Scotland

NESTRANS Community Sustainable Travel Grant Scheme

This grant scheme was launched in 2021. NESTRANS supports development of sustainable travel plans in Aberdeen City and Shire. Applicants can bid for up to £5,000 in matched funding and they are expected to demonstrate commitment by a contribution (or contribution in kind such as volunteer hours or resources) to the project.

Forestry Grant Scheme

This scheme is focused on providing financial support for businesses involved in the creation of either new woodland spaces or the sustainable management of existing woodlands. It is managed by the Scottish Rural Payments and Services agency and Scottish Forestry.

CAN DO Offshore Wind Innovation Feasibility Challenge

If you’re looking develop innovative technology solutions that could address important challenges in Scotland’s offshore wind sector, you could be eligible for £30,000 to £50,000 of grant funding to assess the feasibility of your project.

This grant will support successful applicants to conduct new detailed design, technical, and/or commercial feasibility assessment for relevant products and services, over a period of three months. Eligible projects should be completed by 30 June 2025 at the latest.

Innovation ideas should help to drive the offshore wind sector and Scotland’s supply chain forward, within the following sectors:

• Installation – Mooring systems connection, Floating electrical systems connection, Offshore floating assembly activities
• Operations and maintenance – for dynamic floating conditions, balance of plant condition monitoring, major component change strategies, and robotics solutions for floating offshore wind
• Electrical infrastructure – Improvements in HVAC and HVDC dynamic cables, Floating substations, Single mooring and cable disconnection point systems
• Mooring lines – Innovative mooring solutions including new materials for mooring systems, including rope, chain, and other materials
• Substructures – Manufacturing of floating wind concepts, Design for whole lifecycle cost reduction, Modular designs and reduced assembly times of steel substructures
• Blades – Next-generation composite materials, Blade edge protection, Circular economy (e.g. innovative thermal, mechanical, and chemical decommissioning processes), Blade inspection
• Towers – Next generation tower design and materials, Automation, welding, and manufacturing production lines
• Anchors – Innovative and novel anchor manufacturing methods and solutions

Hydrogen Projects Funding

This funding will help cover development costs for projects that focus on the low-cost, efficient, and sustainable production of renewable hydrogen. Eligible projects should contribute to the scale-up of the hydrogen economy and ideally be linked to the realisation of regional hydrogen hubs by the early 2030s. Some funding may be awarded to other projects to develop the hydrogen production supply chain.

Eligibility is for projects in Scotland with a production capacity of between 5 and 400 megawatts, specifically for projects seeking research and development (R&D) support for development expenditure (DEVEX) on stages including feasibility studies, pre-Front End Engineering Design (FEED).

Projects that produce hydrogen to make hydrogen derivatives – including, but not limited to, e-methanol, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), ammonia, and liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) – as their final sale product are also eligible.

Clean Heat Strategic Workforce Development Fund

The fund is managed by Scottish Enterprise and is aimed at companies that are either already active or interested in diversifying into the ‘clean heat’ market – including such energy efficiency solutions as heat pumps and networks, smart controls, energy storage, and sources of fossil fuel free energy.

There are two main parts to the offer: workplace innovation support and financial grants.

The strategic workforce development support is provided by a specialist in Scottish Enterprise Workplace Innovation Team. It covers training related to technical aspects such as manufacturing, installation, design, automation, and engineering.

The grants are available in amounts between £5,000 and a maximum of £50,000 and are intended to cover up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs. For example, a project with eligible costs of £20,000 could receive £10,000 in grant support. All projects need to be delivered by the end of March 2025, with final claims submitted by the end of April 2025.

Green Heat Innovation Support Programme

Funding will be available to companies across Scotland until March 2026 and can be accessed in various ways, including:

• Grant funding – open to applications at all times, support is available for large-scale company R&D and capital investmen projects focused on innovation in the crucial areas of green heat.
• Feasibility studies – these competitive funding calls help Scotland-based businesses develop innovative green heat solutions, focusing on technology readiness levels five to seven.
• CAN DO Innovation Challenges – using the Scotland CAN-DO approach, this route supports public sector innovation challenges. It provides innovators with 100 per cent funding via R&D service contracts through a competitive procurement process to fund the development of solutions. Its end goal is the deployment of commercial products and a contract with a challenge sponsor. It’s expected two CAN DO Innovation Challenges will be launched as part of the programme – the first by end of June 2023.
• European funding, through the Clean Energy Transition Partnership – a new transformative research, development and innovation programme which will support transnational collaborative projects designed to accelerate the energy transition. The programme has now launched, is open to organisations based in Scotland, and is delivered by Scottish Enterprise.

More details about each type of funding can be found on the Scottish Enterprise link above.

Low Emission Zone Support Fund for businesses

Energy Saving Trust is offering micro businesses and sole traders, with an operating site within 20km of Scotland’s low emission zones, a grant towards the safe disposal of non-compliant vehicles.

The Low Emission Zone Support Fund, funded by Transport Scotland and administered by Energy Saving Trust, offers an incentive for eligible businesses to take their older, more polluting vehicles off the road.

Grants of £2,000 are available to micro businesses with nine or fewer full-time employees and sole traders. Successful applicants will be required to dispose of their vehicle at a Scottish authorised treatment facility. A grant offer must be in place prior to vehicle disposal.

Following vehicle disposal and successful receipt of the fund, eligible businesses will be offered an additional £1,000 towards the purchase of a cargo or electric cargo bike.

Green Business Grant

The Glasgow City Council Green Business Grant will help businesses in Glasgow address both the cost of living and climate crises through measures such as energy efficiency, renewables, active travel and waste management.

The Green Business Grant is a non-repayable grant of up to £10,000, which will cover up to 50 per cent of the total cost of a project. Projects can include anything that helps businesses reduce their energy bills and make progress towards achieving net zero carbon emissions.

To be eligible for the grant, your business must:

• Be a small or medium-sized enterprise (as defined in the Companies Act 2006)
• Have been trading for at least six months
• Own its own premises in Glasgow or have written permission from your landlord to make changes to the premises and seek planning permissions from Glasgow City Council Planning Division to implement the works detailed in your application
• Have a Glasgow postcode and pay non-domestic rates in Glasgow
• Be headquartered in Glasgow

Premises of an organisation based outside Glasgow will not be considered. Businesses whose main base is within the city boundary cannot use the grant to improve premises or create jobs outside Glasgow.

Businesses that are owned by another business with more than a 25 per cent stake are not eligible.

The grant will cover up to 50 per cent of the total cost of a project, to a maximum of £10,000. Businesses must be prepared to cover the rest of the cost from other sources.

Green Capital Development Grant

Through the Green Capital Development Grant, Perth and Kinross Council has made funding of up to £25,000 available for businesses that were financially affected by Covid-19 and now want to make capital investments in the Perth and Kinross area.

This fund offers grants of up to £25,000 to cover up to 50 per cent of eligible costs. Projects must involve a minimum spend of £10,000, which means that businesses must match the funding with at least £5,000.

The grant will not be awarded upfront immediately after approval – instead, you will receive payment after you make your purchases and submit receipts or invoices. This means that initially you must be able to afford the project’s full cost until you are refunded.

IBioIC Innovation Support

IBioIC has various funding programmes to help you progress your R&D, find collaborators and build your business.

Midlothian Council LACER

The Midlothian Council LACER Fund provides grants to businesses to support green projects, social enterprises to support start up and growth and aims to develop a network of local business associations to encourage collaboration.

Available funds are:

Social Enterprise Fund

Grants of up to £4,000 are available to support the development of locally based social enterprises, helping them to start up and grow.

Business Association Fund

A £1,500 grant is available to help businesses come together to deliver local projects collaboratively as part of a Business Association.

The LACER funds are available for Midlothian based businesses only. To find out more about the funds and how to apply, email bg@midlothian.gov.uk

East Renfrewshire Council SBA Get to Zero Grant

The SBA Get to Zero Grant provides funding for businesses in East Renfrewshire that wish to diversify and invest in sustainable measures to help their business become more efficient, in order to reduce carbon emissions and energy loss. Businesses can receive a 50 per cent match-funded grant of up to £5,000 on projects costing up to £10,000.

Measures could include: 

• Low energy heating and lighting systems  
• Improved insulation for roof and building  
• Solar, ground or air source heat or solar thermal technology  
• Waste management or recycling  
• Equipment that demonstrates a significant energy saving through its installation

North Lanarkshire Business Recovery and Growth Fund

The Business Recovery and Growth Fund (BRGF) is targeted at new and existing businesses based in North Lanarkshire to support their strategic, longer term sustainability and growth.

BRGF grants will cover 50 per cent of eligible project costs, up to £50,000, to fund specific activities to help businesses recover, adapt and diversify their operations.

You are eligible if your business:

• Is based in North Lanarkshire
• Is a micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (up to 250 employees)
• Actively trading for at least 12 months at the time of application

The East Ayrshire Net Zero Grant

The East Ayrshire Net Zero Grant provides up to 50 per cent funding, up to £3,000, to support local businesses to transition towards net zero carbon emissions and also help offset the current rises in energy costs.

The fund is intended to help small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to implement energy and resource efficiency improvements. It can be used for:

• The purchase of equipment that would contribute to energy saving
• Green skills training
• Renewable energy installations (for example, solar, ground or air source heat pumps)
• Waste management or recycling
• Lighting systems
• Roof and building insulation
• Low energy heating

To be eligible, a business must:

• Have been trading for at least 12 months
• Employ between three and 49 people
• Be working with Business Energy Scotland or the University of Strathclyde
• Have completed a business energy efficiency audit and created a carbon reduction plan

West Lothian Low Carbon Energy Efficiency Grant

The Low Carbon/Energy Efficiency Grant is a grant of up to £8,000 for West Lothian businesses that are looking to:

• Assist business to overcome barriers in achieving emission reduction
• Help businesses implement new business processes that evidence a clear link to emissions reductions
• Implement strategic changes identified from consultancy support
• Support business to promote their ‘green credentials’
• Facilitate business pivoting into a new market within the net zero landscape

Your business must also:

• Business must employ minimum five staff
• Have been trading for one year
• Has growth potential over three years 
• Business must have taken steps to or have already completed a carbon footprint calculation
• Ideally the fund will support changes to reduce emissions identified within scope 3 of the Green House Gas protocol

Wales

Small Grants – Woodland Creation Scheme

Small Grants – Woodland Creation is a scheme aimed at farmers and other land managers to encourage planting of small areas of trees on land which is agriculturally improved or low environmental value in Wales.

Funding is available for tree planting to create shelterwoods, alongside watercourses, and in field corners or small fields for stock shelter, biodiversity and woodfuel. Small Grants – Woodland Creation also offers 12 years of payments for Maintenance and Premium payment in respect of the new planting.

All of the elements are laid out in a series of digital booklets. here.

Carmarthenshire Business Renewable Energy Fund

The fund will provide capital support to businesses towards the purchase of renewable energy systems for their business premises. Grants available are between £1,000 and £25,000 towards the cost of the renewable energy system, which will make up no more than 50 per cent of eligible costs.

Your business must either:

• Own the freehold, or
• Hold a lease with a seven-year minimum period remaining after the final grant payment date. You will need to secure your landlord’s written consent for the proposed works.

The business premises must be registered on Carmarthenshire County Council’s Non-Domestic Rates register. All expenditure associated to the grant must be completed within four months of the date of approval letter. Applicants will be treated on a first come, first served basis until the allocated fund has been used up.

The Sustainable Development Fund, Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB

The Sustainability Development Fund offers project grants, management grants to support staff costs or development grants to act as a catalyst for new action or partnerships.

It normally provides 50 per cent of total project costs but up to 75 per cent is available for eligible voluntary sector projects. Applicants are expected to contribute at least 25 per cent of total project costs either from their own reserves or from other sources such as European funds, National Lottery funding or ‘in kind’ contributions.

The private sector and individuals can apply, but the project has to be in the wider public interest to be eligible.

The fund supports projects which will:

• Conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB, including the built environment
• Promote sustainable forms of social and economic development
• Promote the economic and social well-being of local communities
• Promote quiet enjoyment of the AONB

Priority is given to projects which:

• Involve local communities and young people
• Lever in contributions from other sources in cash or in kind
• Overcome barriers to sustainability and promote a wider understanding of sustainability
• Promote sustainable forms of social and economic development or add value to existing sustainability projects
• Raise awareness of the AONB and generate jobs or income for communities, without damaging the landscape
• Demonstrate innovation or best practice

Contact Ceri Lloyd at Loggerheads Country Park on 01824 712757 for more information.

Community Innovation Denbighshire

Led by Cadwyn Clwyd and Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC), the £600,000 Community Innovation Denbighshire project will focus on encouraging micro firms, community groups and social enterprises in rural and urban areas to put forward proposals that will deliver regional and environmental benefits.

Supported by Denbighshire County Council and part-funded by the UK Government through the £220m UK Community Renewal Fund, support is available for 25 organisations or individuals who can apply for a £5,000 grant they will match-fund to trial new products, systems and services.

Business Wales will also be on hand with guidance and advice throughout the process.

For more information, email admin@cadwynclwyd.co.uk or call 01490 340500.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

This is the same as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, but it’s available in Wales as well as England. With this scheme, you can get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.

You’re eligible if:

• Own the property you’re applying for (including if it’s a business, a second home or a property you rent out to tenants)
• Be replacing fossil fuel heating systems (such as oil, gas or electric)

You’re still eligible if you’ve already had funding to make your property more energy efficient, for example by insulating it.

Northern Ireland

DAERA grants and funding

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is a government department in the Northern Ireland Executive. This page lists environmental grants along with other business support.

If you can’t find any suitable eco business grants in the list above, take a look at the government’s finance and business support round-up or your local authority’s website. Just be aware that some of the grants listed on the government’s website have expired. Finally, support may be available in other forms for green improvements you want to make – this could be advice, mentoring, energy assessments or something else entirely.

Read more

150 UK small business grants to apply for right now

The post Where to find green small business grants appeared first on Small Business UK.