GFirst LEP is hosting a series of workshops to look at the opportunities to win support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for digital tech, export and low carbon innovation.

Gloucestershire is pioneering digital and cyber advancements for businesses, particularly with such projects as the new cyber security facilities at Cheltenham, Berkeley Green and increased broadband connectivity implemented by Fastershire.

This is opening up opportunities for technical advances letting SME's grow, increasing digital capacity and capability and their cyber protection.

There is a funding opportunity of £500k of ERDF resource (matched at 50 per cent so the total value is £1m), to develop business support activities encouraging SME's to enhance their performance via digital technological or cyber advances.

GFirst LEP is hosting a workshop to discuss the opportunity, and provide potential applicants further detail on the requirements of the call and the application process for the funding at 10am on Friday July 14 at the Growth Hub.

The county is home to major exporters such as Prima Dental and Renishaw. However as identified in the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership Structural and Investment Funds Strategy, there is evidence that productivity has slowed.

The ERDF call provides a funding opportunity of approximately £500k of ERDF resource (matched at 50 per cent so the total value is £1m). It is predominantly seeking to invest in activities to boost exports of high growth Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including those working within intensive manufacturing services.

GFirst LEP will be organising a workshop at 2pm on Friday July 14 at the Growth Hub by invitation only.

Gloucestershire is also on target to become a national centre of excellence for innovation and learning in the energy sector. The county is especially well placed to deliver innovative solutions focused around solar, wind and tidal energy.

There is a funding opportunity of approximately £1m of ERDF resource (matched at 50 per cent so the total value is £2m).

GFirst LEP will be holding a workshop to discuss the opportunities and provide potential applicants further detail on the requirements of the call and the application process for the funding at the Growth Hub at 2pm on Wednesday July 26 by invitation only.

To book you place on any of the workshops contact Kate Hull on Kate.Hull@gfirstlep.com

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