Funding & support resources

CITB offer support to industry through their grants and funds.

Made Smarter Adoption North East helps manufacturers in the region increase profits, improve efficiency and grow by investing in smart technology.

The Creative Enterprise Business Builder is a grant initiative designed to support companies who work in moving image for storytelling, spanning film television, games, animation and immersive industries.

Enterprising Sunderland is a project designed to unlock the potential of future entrepreneurs within our communities and to support businesses from all sectors to grow and innovate.

Delivered by Smarta, Gateshead Start-up Skills is all about ensuring startups, sole traders and freelancers in Gateshead get off to the best start with the right skills.

Wear Together provides social entrepreneurs in Sunderland with access to business support and grants assisting them with start, development, and growth of social businesses.

Search current funding opportunities from across UKRI, research councils and Innovate UK

The Key Fund invests in incorporated Community and Social Enterprises that have traditionally been excluded and turned down by mainstream lenders; particularly those in disadvantaged areas.

Government support towards the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle chargepoints.

Eligible businesses in Northumberland can apply for a grant between £10,000 - £300,000.

The new Start-up Support Programme is available to new retail, hospitality and leisure businesses across County Durham

This grant programme will help local growing businesses to access high quality external expertise to deliver business improvement projects.

The Energy Resilience Fund is an initiative assisting community businesses in retrofitting their buildings with energy-saving measures.

A fund designed to drive economic growth by helping businesses to access external expertise to implement business growth and improvement plans.

The SWEF Business Grant supports young people living in County Durham or Tees Valley with a business investment they can’t afford but will transform their business.

Shaping the skills and knowledge of our creative industries