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SELEP COVID-19 Business Support Fund

Procurement process for South East Local Enterprise Partnership COVID-19 Recovery Funds has launched.

As part of South East LEP’s focus to support businesses and skills in 2021, the LEP will be making available £4.4m for new COVID-19 Recovery Funds and the procurement process to identify organisations to deliver these has now launched. The procurement process will secure service providers and partners to deliver programmes using this funding throughout 2021-22.

Background

Earlier this year, SELEP’s Board agreed to re-purpose funding available, to focus on support for businesses recovering from the impacts of the pandemic at a time of unprecedented challenge, and to support investment in skills in response to the employment crisis being experienced in 2020.

The LEP has since been working hard to build these funds and be ready to support the recovery period, investing directly in those areas across the South East that need it most. As 2021 will focus heavily on recovery – with SELEP helping to lead the effort in the South East – the launch of these funds will kick off the new year with a much-needed boost for business and skills in the SELEP area.

Purpose

The £2.4 million COVID-19 Business Support Fund will be split into three individual business support programmes:

  • supporting pre-starts and start-ups;
  • digitising business, supporting retail and e-commerce; and
  • supporting the visitor economy

These programmes will provide both specialist advice and guidance to eligible businesses as well as small 100% business grants.

Process

The tenders for these funds are now live, and the full suite of procurement documentation, including guidance, is now available via the Essex County Council portal. The tender will be open for a period of 30 calendar days, which will include a 14 day window for clarifications from bidders. Contracts are set to be awarded in February, with delivery commencing soon afterwards.

Any party who is interested in delivering these programmes needs to sign up to the Essex County Council Procurement Portal at supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login.