Funding – Or The Lack Of It

By John Ross, Research Lecturer, and MCS Heat Pump Inspector for Ireland.
I recently attended a seminar which looked at the sustainable and renewable funding opportunities that are freely available from a wide spectrum of sources.

The interesting thing that jumped out at me was the corporate inability of local businesses and councils to “wring the neck” out of what is a big freebie! Northern Ireland is the least successful region in Europe for accessing European funding opportunities. The Republic of Ireland is basically eight times more successful at attaining funds from Europe than recipients in Northern Ireland. There were many excellent presentations and the presenters set out the possibilities and the funding values in finite detail. But some of the failures by business, and especially by some councils, to acquire large sums of available funds to drive the social, economic and business interests of those who they serve is downright embarrassing. For many years now I have sat and listened to the staff from Invest Northern Ireland and other government agencies advise, counsel and plead with many areas from the business community to get on-board. Invest Northern Ireland’s Sustainable Development Programmes provides support to businesses who have a total annual expenditure of more than £30k on water, energy and waste. They will provide a free Resource Efficiency Audit, five-day technical consultancy on energy, materials, water, transport, environmental management and renewable energy, industrial symbiosis and were appropriate that much needed financial assistance. Capital Grants of up to £40k are available to support Invest NI clients to design, purchase and install new equipment to reduce energy, water, materials and waste costs and other areas of sustainable and renewable benefit. Information from Invest Northern Ireland can be accessed at sustainabledev@investni.com Loans from £3-400k are available through the Energy Efficiency Loan fund (Carbon Trust). The amount of loan is determined by energy cost savings and Carbon Dioxide (CO2 emissions) reductions in any proposal. Details of how to apply and loan calculator are on the Carbon Trust Northern Ireland website http://www.carbontrust.com/client -services/northern-ireland This is only a small taste of the potential and it’s really important that local councils, local business and all the large industries avail of what is the “Golden Egg” – and here’s a list of other funds especially for social and business applications. Happy Hunting!

1. Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation

2. Northern Ireland Renewable Heat Incentive

3. Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme

4. Big Lottery Fund

5. Local Enterprise Development

Northern Ireland is the least successful region in Europe for accessing European funding opportunities. The Republic of Ireland is basically eight times more successful at attaining funds from Europe than recipients in Northern Ireland.