SWEF Enterprise Fund
Grants of up to £2,000 are available for young entrepreneurs who are running a business or planning to start one soon.
Who it is for
To be eligible to apply, individuals need to:
- be between the ages of 18-30
- live in Northern Ireland
- be running their own business that has been trading for no more than two years or planning to start their own business imminently
- be from a low-income household or facing other financial challenges preventing them from developing their business
They must be able to demonstrate that they have already taken steps to get their business off the ground, even if this is at a very early stage. Examples may include but are not limited to, evidence of making their first sales, free/pro bono work delivered in order to develop examples of their work, market research to identify market potential, and business plans.
Support you can get
The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, in partnership with the SWEF Enterprise Fund, supports young people to access investments they may not otherwise afford.
Grants of up to £2,000 are available for young entrepreneurs who are running a business or planning to start one soon. The grants aim to assist in developing business ideas and helping businesses grow and become more sustainable.
The grant can be used for:
- equipment
- materials
- product development
- stock for a new product line
- one-off costs such as website development or other services
Applicants cannot apply for salary or living costs, debt repayment, rent and utilities, stock for an existing product line, or ongoing software subscriptions.
How to apply
Individuals can apply for a grant of up to £2,000. If they request £500 or less and their application is successful, they may apply for a second grant later.
Applications can be submitted online and are encouraged from underrepresented groups in business, including individuals on low incomes, women, migrants, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and those with few or no formal qualifications.
Support organisers
- Community Foundation Northern Ireland