- Up to an additional £5 million is being made
available to support trade associations and other
business organisations in helping businesses prepare for
Brexit
- funds will support business representative
organisations in working with businesses across the UK to
understand the steps they should now take to be ready for
31 October 2019
- business organisations will have extra time to apply
for funding
Additional funding is being made available to business
organisations and trade associations throughout the UK, to
support events, training and the production of advice packs
to assist businesses in making sure they are fully prepared
for Brexit on 31 October 2019.
Up to an extra £5 million is being made available through
the Business Readiness Fund – taking the total up to £15
million.
The deadline for applications is being extended by a week,
to Monday 7 October.
Activities funded by the grants must be open to both
members and non-members, and to businesses large and small
preparing for Brexit on 31 October. This will ensure all
businesses will benefit and can be reassured that they are
fully ready, from major British producers to the smallest
tech startups and entrepreneurs. There will be no barriers,
such as affordability of membership.
Applications for grants are being administered
through a dedicated website.
Funding will have to be used on activities to be completed
ahead of 31 October 2019 in order to ensure they are
focused on Brexit preparations and that our businesses are
fully prepared for Brexit day.
The fund will be open to business organisations, trade
associations, chambers of commerce, chartered institutes
and other professional membership bodies with a significant
membership.
Applications are invited for practical advice and support,
including (but not limited to): advice packs; information
campaigns; webinars; podcasts; events or training
workshops.
Activities supported by the fund must:
- be delivered in their entirety by 31 October 2019
- be additional to those activities already in
delivery or planned to be delivered
- be made available to all businesses in the sector or
geographical area and cannot be restricted to an
organisation’s members or subscribers
- be free (non-chargeable) to businesses
- not create a competitive advantage to certain
businesses
- proposed initiatives will be required to deliver their
intended impact by 31 October 2019, and this will be
subject to government scrutiny
The funding forms part of the £108 million recently
announced by HM Treasury to promote and support businesses
in ensuring they are ready for Brexit, including a national
programme of business readiness and helping exporters to
prepare for, and capitalise on, new opportunities.
The minimum bid size remains £25,000, with consortia
welcome to apply.
