SWEF - South Yorkshire Enterprise Fund

The SWEF enterprise and business fund awards grants to young people in South Yorkshire who need support with business start-up costs that they would otherwise not be able to afford, particularly those who are not in education, employment or training. The program offers two tiers of support: Start-Up Business Grants of up to £500 for individuals whose business is still in the start-up or pre-revenue phase and has yet to make any income or sales, and Established Business Grants of up to £2,000 for businesses that have been trading for under two years. This is not a loan scheme and recipients do not need to pay the grant back. The grants can be used for equipment, materials, stock or services needed to get the business running or support its development, but cannot be used for salary or living costs. Applicants who receive a grant of £500 or less can re-apply for a second grant of up to £1,500 at a later stage. All grant recipients have the opportunity to participate in a business forum with other recipients to exchange ideas and experiences, and one-to-one business mentoring may also be available.