What is it?

The Green Jobs Capital fund supports businesses and social enterprises to create and retain jobs that produce goods or services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources, as well as jobs that help drive more environmentally friendly processes in organisations across our region.

The funding is for capital expenditure that will help organisations retain or create green jobs.

Green jobs are either:

• Jobs in businesses that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources. For example, in a business whose products and services benefit the environment (such as a renewables or low carbon technology company), this would include any job from warehouse and office staff, to engineers and researchers.

• Jobs in which workers' duties involve making their establishment's production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources. For businesses whose main focus isn’t the environment, this would include any job directly related to making the company, its processes and its products more environmentally friendly. This could be the main focus of their role, for example a Sustainability Officer, or just a part of their wider role, for example a Purchasing Manager who will aim to source more sustainable materials and suppliers.

The funding available is for capital expenditure only, for example expansion, machinery, fixtures and fittings and IT infrastructure. This can also include R&D projects that are capitalised on your balance sheet.

As part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to transition to net zero by 2045, projects that align to this ambition and support green economic growth in the Highlands and Islands, may be supported through this fund.

What can the funding be used for?

• The funding can be allocated towards most categories of capital investment e.g. purchasing equipment, fixtures, fittings and IT infrastructure. 
• The funding can be used towards investment in premises e.g. the construction, adaptation or upgrade of premises or other business infrastructure to help expand activities that contribute to the green economy.
• The funding can be used to support R&D projects that will be capitalised on your balance sheet e.g. to develop innovative new products and services or to make them more sustainable.
• The purchase of electric vehicles may be eligible however applicants must demonstrate that they have exhausted all forms of commercial finance before applying through this fund.

What CAN'T the funding be used for?

Please note: The programme cannot support projects that have already started at the time of submitting an expression of interest. Any costs which have been invoiced to the applicant or paid by the applicant prior to submitting the expression of interest will not be eligible for funding. (updated 27/06/23)

How much can I apply for?

You can apply for funding between 10% and 50% of eligible project costs. The amount awarded will be dependent on factors such as the size or your organisation, where you are based and the project being proposed.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Businesses and social enterprises based in the Highlands and Islands are eligible to apply.
• The fund is aimed at organisations in the region that are looking to create or retain jobs directly related to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. It is also for those undertaking projects that will result in the creation or retention of green jobs.
• Unincorporated forms of business ownership e.g. sole trader, partnership, limited partnership, as well as incorporated legal forms of business ownership e.g. limited companies, companies limited by guarantee, community interest companies, limited liability partnership etc. are eligible to apply.
• Funding will be prioritised for organisations operating in a growth sector* (see list below) and have a clear ambition to be operating out with local markets.
• This is a capital grant fund; only capital expenditure costs are eligible. This includes R&D projects that are capitalised on your balance sheet.
• Applicants must comply with HIE’s fair work conditions for grant support. For more information, please visit our fair work page. If you would like to speak to someone about the fair work requirement or need more information, please email enquiries@hient.co.uk and we will get a member of staff to contact you.

Who is NOT eligible to apply?

• Businesses in the retail, business services e.g. accountants, book-keepers, solicitors etc., and personal services e.g. hairdressers, beauticians, alternative therapists, dog groomers etc., sectors are not eligible to apply.
• Businesses in the hospitality sector operating from their own homes e.g. B&B or AirBNB type businesses, are not eligible to apply.

How do I apply?

The application process follows a two-stage process. The first stage is to complete the online Expression of Interest Form (EOI) available right.

Your EOI will be reviewed and if your application meets the basic criteria, you will be allocated a development manager who advise you on what you need to provide to make a stage two application.

The small print – this is important

• All HIE grant assistance is discretionary.
• Grant awards are subject to due diligence and budget availability. Due diligence includes: making an assessment on the need for public funding; the viability of the business going forward; the ability of the applicant to deliver the project; the impact of the development on the economy, and the strength of the business case presented to HIE.
• Making an application to the fund does not guarantee that your application will be successful. If you are not successful in your application or you are only partially successful e.g. you receive funding of a lesser amount than you applied for, we will arrange a call with you to let you know why you have been unsuccessful and point you in the direction of other possible sources of funding.
• There is NO appeals process. We are unable to consider a complaint purely relating to dissatisfaction as to the outcome of a funding decision. However, if you have identified a specific process failure relating to your application, then you may wish to make a formal complaint. See our formal complaints process for more information.
• There is no deadline to apply. The fund will be available until our allocation is spent out. 

NEED TO SPEAK TO US?

If you would like to talk to someone about your application, please email enquiries@hient.co.uk and we will get back to you.

*GROWTH SECTORS

• food and drink manufacturing/processing
• textile manufacturing/processing
• creative industries 
• renewable energy production including marine renewables, and associated supply chain
• oil and gas decommissioning
• nuclear decommissioning
• timber processing and manufacturing
• other manufacturing, technology and advanced engineering companies
• space industry and associated supply chain
• aquaculture/fish and shellfish farming
• life sciences - including seaweed production, marine bioprocessing, animal health, medical devices development and manufacturing, drug development and manufacturing
• digital technology and innovation
• tourism – particularly development of sustainable high quality visitor attractions and experiences
• construction innovation
• any sector which is new or novel to the region.

Complete the form above to apply