Useful Links

NISP -The National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP)
 
NISP connects industry and creates opportunity.   It uses the concept of industrial symbiosis to bring together businesses from all industry sectors and identifies mutually profitable links (synergies) between companies so that previously underused or undervalued resources can be recovered, reprocessed and reused elsewhere in the industrial network. 
 
Synergies identified by NISP and implemented by its business members generate cost savings, increase sales and reduce carbon emissions. 
 
NISP in England in funded by WRAP.

 www.nisp.org.uk

The Energy Technologies Institute
The Energy Technologies Institute is a UK-based company formed from global industries and the UK government. We bring together projects that create affordable, reliable, clean energy for heat, power and transport.
http://www.energytechnologies.co.uk/Home.aspx

 

Sustainability West Midlands
Sustainability West Midlands is the sustainability adviser for business leaders in the West Midlands . It is a not-for-profit company that works with its members in the business, public and voluntary sectors.
http://www.sustainabilitywestmidlands.org.uk/

 

RenewableUK
RenewableUK is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries.
http://www.bwea.com/

Renewable Energy Supply Chain Opportunities
The Renewable Energy Supply Chain Opportunities (RESCO) programme has been established to provide businesses in the West Midlands with the support they need to enter or expand into the supply chain markets of low carbon and renewable energy technologies.
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/sciences/geography/links/IESR/projects_sustbus_resco.shtml

British Hydropower Association
BHA promotes the hydropower industry in the UK and abroad and aims to increase the awareness of its quality and scope in the wider world. Hydropower is one of the most reliable, predictable and least environmentally intrusive renewable energies. The BHA strives to ensure that its potential is realised.
http://www.british-hydro.org/index.html

The Solar Trade Association
The Solar Trade Association is a membership body which represents UK-based Solar Thermal (solar hot water) companies. We work to promote the uptake of the technology in domestic, commercial and industrial applications through our website and at local and national trade events.
www.solar-trade.org.uk

The Renewable Energy Association
The Renewable Energy Association represents renewable energy producers and promotes the use of all forms of renewable energy in the UK .
http://www.r-e-a.net/

The Building Centre
The Building Centre, in Central London , was established in 1931. It has become an independent forum dedicated to providing information and inspiration to all sectors of the built environment.
http://www.buildingcentre.co.uk/

pv-tech.org
A news site featuring photovoltaic technology developments and solar industry news.
http://www.pv-tech.org/

Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) is the leading professional and examining body for scientists, engineers, environmental professionals, students and those committed to the sustainable management and development of water and the environment.
http://www.ciwem.org/

WRAP

WRAP works in Great Britain to help businesses and individuals reap the benefits of reducing waste, developing sustainable products and using resources efficiently.
http://www.wrap.org.uk/

Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust encourages businesses and the public sector to cut carbon emissions, save energy and commercialise low carbon technologies. The Carbon trust makes early stage venture capital and seed investments to accelerate the commercialisation of clean energy businesses in the UK .
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/Pages/Default.aspx

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)
The government's Department of Energy and Climate Change was started in October 2008, to bring together energy policy (previously with BERR, which is now BIS - the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) and climate change mitigation policy (previously with Defra - the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
http://www.decc.gov.uk/

The Prince’s Mayday Network
The Mayday Network is a free business networking organisation for businesses at all stages of the low carbon, resource efficient journey. The network is united in the belief that collaboration and leadership will solve climate change, and is creating a better, more sustainable way of doing business.
http://www.maydaynetwork.com/

The Business Environmental Support Scheme for Telford (BESST)
BESST is a partnership between private and public sector businesses. It helps businesses to improve their environmental performance, in order to boost competitiveness and reduce their impact on the environment.
http://www.telfordbesst.co.uk/

Grant Aided Heating Installers' Network
The Grant Aided Heating Installers' Network aims for a higher level of professionalism, beyond technical qualifications and competence, for its heating and renewables contractors serving the grant market.
http://www.gainassociation.org.uk/

Business Council for Sustainable Development
BCSD is the only affiliated branch in the UK of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The focus is on the practical implementation of sustainable development values and the promotion of sustainable development as a key to world class business standards and new business opportunities.
http://www.bcsd-uk.co.uk/

The Technology Strategy Board
The Technology Strategy Board promotes innovation in many ways. Our approach is summed up in the words connect and catalyse. Much of our work is in spreading knowledge, understanding policy, spotting opportunities and bringing people together to solve problems or make new advances. We also invest in and manage a range of delivery mechanisms and programmes to drive technology-enabled innovation.
http://www.innovateuk.org/

Business Link West Midlands
Business can assist with Access business information and research; Get expert advice on how to improve your business performance; Find relevant solutions through access to quality assured suppliers; Improve the skills of you and your people; Access specialist manufacturing advice; Start a dynamic new business.
http://www.innovateuk.org/

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
www.bis.gov.uk

The renewable energy centre
The renewable energy centre is a networking website for renewable technology businesses featuring information, advice and a directory of contractors and suppliers.
www.therenewableenergycentre.co.uk

Shrop.biz

Business to Business signposting service for Shropshire .

Find the business help and support and business networking services you need, all in one place - Shropshire Council, Business Link, Shropshire Chamber, Enterprise HQ - EHQ, Women in Rural Enterprise - WIRE, Heart of England Fine Food - HEFF, Federation of Small Business - FSB, Learning and Skills Council - LSC and Jobcentre Plus.You can also search for business networks in the North Shropshire, Shrewsbury, South Shropshire and Bridgnorth areas and mix with people in your sector and with potential clients and customers.

http://www.biztog.co.uk/index.aspx

Invest In Shropshire

Showing the best of Shropshire 's

-commercial property

-grants and loans

-support for your business

-business strengths

http://www.investinshropshire.com/

Farm Carbon

Farm Carbon is a free service available to all farmers and landowners within the South Shropshire LEADER area. Farm Carbon is supported by the Shropshire Hills AONB LEADER Programme. The aim is to help farmers get started on planning a lower-carbon future.

http://www.farm-carbon.org/index.html

Sharenergy

Sharenergy is run by Energy4All, a not-for-profit company owned by the renewable energy co-ops it creates. It is supported by funding from Advantage West Midlands. If you are based in the Rural Regeneration Zone of the West Midlands and would like a real renewable energy plant owned and operated by your community, contact Shareenergy

http://www.sharenergy.coop/

Knowledge Innovation Technology Transfer Scheme (KITTS)

Often small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have no shortage of ideas but are frustrated by a lack of sufficient human and financial resources to turn ideas into reality, whereas graduates often need the opportunity of real work experience to enhance their future employability prospects.

KITTS aims to match the skills of qualified graduates with the specific needs of West Midlands based small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) by giving graduates the opportunity to put theory into practice through a real work based project in industry. The project should last roughly 10-12 weeks.

http://www.kittsgraduate.co.uk/whatiskitts.html

Shropshire Rural Hub

The Shropshire Rural Hub is an informal producer-led network of rural businesses which aims to work with partners to stimulate and support innovative and dynamic rural enterprise and achieve a sustainable rural economy for Shropshire .

http://www.ruralhubswm.org.uk/shropshire

Herefordshire Rural Hub

Herefordshire Rural Hub is a business support organisation which is led by farm and rural businesses across Herefordshire.

http://www.ruralhubswm.org.uk/herefordshire

Worcestershire Rural Hub

The Worcestershire Rural Hub Ltd. is a practical partnership of public and private sector bodies and individuals. It aims to advance job creation, job retention and economic regeneration through the promotion of local economic activity which will be of benefit to the community.

http://www.wrh.org.uk/index.php

The Energy Saving Trust provides a range of resources to help your organisation reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business

Rural Enterprise Grant Scheme (REG)

Capital Grant programme available to farmers and specific rural micro-businesses in the West Midlands region. REG can fund small scale diversification and business development projects for the benefit of rural businesses.

Funds are available for eligible applicants for investments in environmental technologies, food and drink, tourism and livestock related activities.

Applications can be for 40% of eligible costs up to max grant of £62,500. Remaining 60% must be from the private sector. Grant administered by Herefordshire Council.

For more information email dmc@hereforshire.gov.ukor contact 01432 383616 or contact a RDPE manager at RDPEEnquiries@advantagewm.co.uk

Strategic Investment Grant

The Strategic Investment Grants are funded through the Rural Development Programme for England and have been extended and re-launched. Grants of £62,500 and above are available to land based businesses and can fund large scale and collaborative projects to improve the competiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector and improve the quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy.

Contact: 0121 380 3500 or click here for further information

Funding website

SME’s can take advantage of a big opportunity to find funding to help them over-come the credit crunch. Funding expert’s j4b are offering companies free access to all the features on their funding website http://www.j4bgrants.co.uk/ which are usually only available to subscribers.

The j4bGrants website includes Europe ’s most comprehensive database of business funding opportunities. Bringing together millions of pounds worth of grants, loans, awards, venture capital, and other funds that are available to firms.

Businesses can register their details on http://www.j4bgrants.co.uk/and search the database against a set of specific criteria, such as industry sector or location. They can then view the full results, which will give them an in-depth rundown of key information such as eligibility, application procedures and who to contact.

Shropshire Business Enterprise Fund

The fund has been set up by Shropshire Council to support new and developing Shropshire Businesses respond to the current difficulties in obtaining finance, and to counter the impact of the recession, including the high level of empty shops. Companies can apply for support under three schemes
- Business Start up Grant
- Business Booster Grant
- Retail Business Grant

Funding is available up to £5,000 and the fund is the only scheme of its type currently available throughout Shropshire . The deadline for the next round of grant awards is 4th October 2010 - subsequent calls will be advertised throughout 2010. To find out further information and details of eligibilty criteria visit Shropshire Council's website by clicking hereor contact 01743 252531

The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA)

The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) has been established to represent all businesses involved in this sector, to help remove the barriers to growth currently faced by the industry and to support its members to grow their businesses to make sure this potential is achieved.

Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA)

The Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA) is the largest professional membership body for the environment with over 15,000 members working across all industry sectors.

National Non-Food Crops Centre

The UK's National Centre for renewable materials and technologies, and provide independent advice and information to industry, Government and the general public. Established in 2003, the NNFCC helps to build supply chains for plant-derived renewable materials so that good ideas become products you can buy. We develop and assess the scientific evidence on renewable materials and only recommend products that will deliver environmental benefits.

http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/metadot/index.pl?id=0