Cumbria Uni to help SMEs slash greenhouse gases with £2.3m ERDF cash

The University of Cumbria has secured a seven-figure boost to help the region’s SMEs become more efficient.

The university will use the £2.3m European Regional Development Fund cash to launch Eco-Innovation Cumbria, a project offering local businesses access to expertise that could spark innovation and foster collaboration.

Eco-Innovation project manager Annette Suddes believes SMEs big and small have ideas that could take off with enough support.

She said: “We’re really excited to be able to announce that we’ve secured funding which now means we can help develop technology in companies across Cumbria and Lancashire.

“We know that small- and medium-sized enterprises have to work hard to maintain their competitive advantage in the development of new, low-carbon products and processes.”

Annette added: “What we’re able to offer is tangible help – either with academics or students from the university – to help an idea become a reality.”

Under Eco-Innovation, eligible SMEs will be given access to a programme of events such as detailed forums, lectures and workshops.

Funds will also be available for the placement of researchers into firms with ideas on lowering greenhouse gases.

The scheme will run until 2020 and be managed by the University of Cumbria, with the University of Lancaster and University of Central Lancashire on board as partners.

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