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Develop and implement a sustainable business programme with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) that connects local buyers and supplies through events and workshops.
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The programme aims to transform businesses' approach to sustainability and give tangible steps to reduce their carbon footprint, now and for the future. Other benefits including reducing costs through energy and waste savings and improving productivity through efficient practices.
The Council has introduced the Stevenage Green Business Grant as part of its Sustainable Business Support Programme. It is aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) implement greener solutions to reduce their carbon footprint after completing Carbon Reduction Plans to identify these measures. £70,000 was available for the scheme this year. Eight (8) applications from local businesses were approved by a panel of experts.
A bespoke 1:1 Sustainability Support Programme was launched in September 2025 to help businesses based in Stevenage that want to grow, win more work, and operate more effectively. The council continued its partnership with Sustainable X to provide practical help and support to ensure businesses support strong commercial results, improve resilience and continue to thrive. Each business received two hours of tailored, 1:1 consultancy with experienced business advisors to help SMEs stand out and support budget and energy efficiency savings.
The support programme has provided advice, support and guidance for businesses to:
The programme has supported a diverse array of businesses in supporting the above objectives. Initial updates have indicated good take up and delivery of several practical solutions and positive feedback from businesses
In person event at Knebworth Barns for local businesses to support wider sustainable goals. Event aims to support would be suppliers to engage and forge long term relationships as part of ongoing Sustainability Business Support programme. Attendees provided first hand knowledge of forthcoming tender opportunities, requirements as well insights into specialist support programmes and initiatives.
The event provided an overview of the regeneration and wider development opportunities, alongside an overview of the retrofitting opportunity for local businesses and trades and secure new contracts and ensure homes across the county become greener. The event also included an overview of the new Procurement Act 2023 which supports and encourages more SMEs and smaller businesses the ability to access public sector tender opportunities.
Participating organisations received practical advice and information to help lower their carbon use and build sustainable practices into their day-to-day activities. Businesses benefitted from:
The programme aimed to transform their approach to sustainability and give tangible steps to reduce their carbon footprint, now and for the future. Other benefits including reducing costs through energy and waste savings and improving productivity through efficient practices.
In-person half-day event held at the Business and Technology Centre in Stevenage where Sustainable X gave a presentation on corporate sustainability, and local buyers and suppliers had the opportunity to network with each other.