- 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.
