ONE of the sectors most affected by the pandemic is to get some extra support from a new scheme led by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
Small social enterprises within the cultural and creative sector are being encouraged to apply for two grants of £30,000 to help them develop their own business models and then provide support for five other micro-sized enterprises.
The Cultural and Creative Social Enterprise project has a strong focus on tackling inequalities within the cultural sector, particularly around diverse leadership, as well as helping enterprises that work on a small, local level.
The pilot programme will support social enterprises based in the WMCA region.
The scheme is open to enterprises that have a turnover of less than £250,000, have generated profit but employ no more than 15 full time staff members.
Successful applicants will be able to access tailor-made training and mentoring provision to help them to grow.
The project has been developed with input from the WMCA Cultural Leadership Board (CLB) to test new approaches on helping the cultural and creative sectors which have been hit hard by lockdown.
The CLB was formed to bring together local people from all backgrounds and representatives from cultural organisations to help support the sector.
The programme is supported by the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP (GBSLEP), Black Country Consortium (LEP) and Arts Council England.
No match funding is needed to apply for one the two grants and applications should be submitted by 1 March with interviews held early March. To apply or find out more visit the WMCA website at https://www.wmca.org.uk/
