Grant and funding support for businesses

The East Ayrshire Net Zero Grant is a non-repayable grant which should cover 50% of the approved project expenditure, up to a maximum of £3,000.

This is intended to help small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to implement energy and resource efficiency improvements.

It can be used for:

• the purchase of equipment that would contribute to energy saving
• green skills training
• renewable energy installations (for example, solar, ground or air source heat pumps)
• waste management or recycling
• lighting systems
• roof and building insulation
• low energy heating

Eligibility criteria for the Net Zero Support Grant

The grant is available to small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) based in East Ayrshire.

To be eligible, a business must:

• have been trading for at least 12 months
• employ between 3 and 49 people
• be working with Business Energy Scotland or the University of Strathclyde
• have completed a business energy efficiency audit and created a carbon reduction plan

We contributed to a Low Carbon Challenge Fund (LCCF) programme managed by University of Strathclyde. This service also allows small and medium sized enterprises businesses to access up to seven hours of free support around carbon reduction and energy efficiency which ultimately provides a carbon reduction plan for the business.

To discuss the East Ayrshire Net Zero Support Grant, please email  business@east-ayrshire.gov.uk to arrange meeting with a business adviser.

Energy Audit Voucher Scheme is targeted at small to medium sized businesses based in East Ayrshire with fewer than 250 employees. It will enable East Ayrshire-based businesses to access an energy audit to address the specific, immediate priorities that have arisen in direct response to rising energy costs, energy use and the impact on climate change.

The voucher will enable the business to engage a consultant/expert to undertake an audit of their premises, operations and/or manufacturing processes to determine current energy usage and provide recommended actions to reduce or replace existing sources of energy, modify processes and apply interventions that will lead to short and longer-term reductions in energy cost.

The Energy Audit Voucher has been designed to gain information on how to best optimise energy usage, reduce costs and improve sustainability of the operation of the business.

An Energy Audit Voucher will provide 100% of eligible project costs (excluding VAT), up to a maximum grant value of £2500. To be eligible, the applicant business (including social enterprises) must be based in East Ayrshire and operate from commercial premises. 

We are proactive in tackling climate change and was a signatory of Scotland’s Climate Change Declaration in 2009, ensuring transparent reporting and continuous improvement. We are committed to supporting Scotland’s 2045 Net Zero target through business innovation and transformation.

The aims and objectives of Net Zero Ready are to:

• help the SME business community start their Net Zero journey
• create beacon businesses that will inspire others to embrace Net Zero as a business advantage
• equip businesses with the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to succeed in a sustainable economy
• position East Ayrshire as a leader in the UK’s Net Zero transition
• develop a scalable Net Zero strategy that can be replicated across East Ayrshire
• assist SMEs in complying with Greenhouse Gas Protocol, SECR, and PPN 06 / 21 reporting standards
• build a network of like-minded companies who trade and work together to build a local and low-carbon local supply chain

Eligibility criteria for Net Zero Ready

• Commitment to Net Zero journey
• Recent energy audit
• Copy of carbon accounts
• Copy of plan that outlines the route to achieving net zero within the business

Type of support

Grants that support a business move towards Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting and/or towards creation and submission of a carbon reduction plan supported by full annual carbon reporting procedures.

The purpose is to support a wide range of capital investments and key growth projects for high-growth, locally important businesses.

Eligibility criteria for the Capital Growth Grant

• two plus years trading/high growth potential
• at least one additional employee (evidence of being on pay-roll – not a sub-contractor)
• £90,000 plus turnover (or VAT threshold plus)
• most recent annual accounts – no more than 12 months old
• pay the Real Living Wage
• operate in key sectors:
  • Food and drink/tourism and hospitality
  • Engineering and manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Health and Social Care
  • Renewables (including Net Zero supply chain)
  • Retail and digital
• must engage in Net Zero initiatives

Conditions are:

• one project per business within financial year, must finish within three months
• project evaluated and tangible impacts measured before a new project can be started in next financial year

The purpose of this grant is to support capital and non-capital costs of businesses making investments in advanced wireless technologies or to help them focus on development of strategies to drive adoption of 5G and other digital improvements within the organisation.

Eligibility criteria for the Digital Grant

• one plus years trading/high growth potential
• At least one additional employee (evidence of being on pay-roll – not a sub-contractor)
• £90,000 plus turnover (or VAT threshold plus)
• Most recent annual accounts – no more than 12 months old
• pay the Real Living Wage
• operate in key sectors:
• • Food and drink/tourism and hospitality
  • Engineering and manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Health and Social Care
  • Renewables (including Net Zero supply chain)
  • Retail and digital

• Must engage in Net Zero initiatives

Conditions are:

• one project per business at a time, must finish within three months
• project evaluated and tangible impacts measured before a new project can be started

The grant can support private and third sector employers with a grant of up to £5,000 towards the costs of recruiting and employing an East Ayrshire resident who meets eligibility criteria. The funding can be used to recruit an employee for a new job or a modern apprenticeship and can cover a range of costs such as wages, training and travel.

This grant is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

Eligible jobs will:

• offer a minimum of 26 weeks employment/52 weeks apprenticeship
• guarantee a minimum of 16 hours per week
• provide a contract of employment
• ensure employees are paid at National Minimum/Living Wage or preferably at the Real Living Wage rate

Eligibility criteria for the Recruitment Incentive grant

Eligibility criteria:

• the employer needs to be a small to medium sized enterprise based in East Ayrshire
• employers who hold Employee Liability Insurance
• the employee must be 25 years and over (excluding the Modern Apprentice (MA) programme) currently not in employment, education or training
• the employee must fall into one or more of the participants barriers
  • above 54 years of age
  • armed forces veteran
  • asylum seekers
  • care experienced/care leaver
  • criminal convictions
  • disability
  • employed status affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • from employment deprived area (SIMD)
  • homeless or affected by housing exclusion
  • living in a jobless household
  • long term unemployed
  • long term physical illness / condition
  • low income employed
  • low skilled
  • material deprivation
  • mental health issues
  • migrant with a foreign background
  • no or limited work experience
  • primary carer of an older person
  • refugee
  • rural
  • substance related conditions
  • under 25 years of age (relates to MA only)
  • underemployed

How employers can apply

A maximum of three applications per employer per year can be made. Please contact  employability@east-ayrshire.gov.uk on how to apply. 

The Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF) is an Ayrshire Growth Deal revenue project aiming to address skills gaps across the region and will support key growth sectors and priority groups to deliver regional, inclusive, economic growth.

The fund provides an opportunity to increase business productivity, ensuring current and future skills are developed to contribute to delivering a regional economy where individuals have the necessary skills.

Employers can apply for up to £1,800 per person.

Eligibility criteria for the Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund

Employers and must meet the criteria set out to target priority sectors and priority groups.

Applications supporting skills development within the following priority sectors are invited:

• engineering
• digital
• visitor economy
• clean growth

These sectors may change as other priorities emerge.

The following priority groups have been identified using the Ayrshire Inclusive Growth Diagnostic:

• young people
• females
• people with long term health conditions
• people in low paid employment

How to apply for an ASIF grant

The first round of the fund opened on 23 October 2023. Further funding rounds will be available on a rolling programme.

Employers can contact   fairworkayrshire@north-ayrshire.gov.uk for more details or support completing the form.

Apply for an Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund Grant