UK Shared Prosperity Fund Low Carbon Project
The Low Carbon project has been extended with an additional £1.6 million investment to help more South Yorkshire businesses reduce emissions, lower costs, and improve efficiency. Building on the success of its first phase which supported 223 businesses with £3.2 million in funding, the second phase will run until March 2026. It aims to assist a further 144 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
This project offers fully funded support, including on-site energy surveys to identify improvement opportunities such as low-energy lighting, insulation upgrades, and more efficient heating systems. Participating businesses can also apply for capital grants to implement these changes.
Delivered by South Yorkshire’s local authorities and part-funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the initiative provides tailored one-to-one support. Advisors guide SMEs from initial assessments through to grant applications and project delivery.
By joining the Low Carbon project, your business can reduce energy costs, enhance competitiveness, increase resilience and productivity, and potentially safeguard or create jobs by reinvesting savings. You’ll also contribute to environmental sustainability by lowering carbon emissions.
To be eligible, your business must be an SME with 250 employees or fewer and a turnover under £54 million. It must have commercial premises in Sheffield (home-based businesses are excluded), not have received over £315,000 in state aid in the last three years and provide up to 12 months of energy bills to establish baseline usage.
Learn more here: UK Shared Prosperity Fund Low Carbon Project | Sheffield City Council
Business Productivity and Digitisation Grant Scheme
The Business Productivity and Digitisation Grant Scheme is designed to support small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Yorkshire, helping them grow, boost productivity, and effectively measure improvements. So far, over 200 Sheffield businesses have benefited from this grant, leading to the creation of more than 100 new jobs and the introduction of 120 new products or processes.
Funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, this programme offers grants to help businesses invest in changes that enhance productivity. These improvements could involve upgrading existing operations, systems, or workflows to save time, reduce material waste, or optimise space.
Businesses can apply for one of two grant types:
- Productivity grants ranging from £2,500 to £10,000
- Digital innovation grants ranging from £2,500 to £5,000
Grants can be used for either revenue costs, such as specialist business support, or capital investments, like machinery, equipment, or premises fit out. Applicants must contribute 50% of the project cost, with the grant covering the remainder.
Funding is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Each business may apply for only one grant. To be eligible, businesses must have been trading for at least 12 months (for grants over £5,000), have commercial premises registered in Sheffield, complete and pay for the project by November 2025, and meet state aid limits.
Interested businesses should review all eligibility criteria before applying to ensure a smooth process.
Learn more here: Business Productivity and Digitisation Grant Scheme | Sheffield City Council