Sustainable Construction iNet Advisers Attend the Tackling Waste Event
East Midlands construction companies wanting to benefit from grants worth up to £50,000 should make their way to the sixth annual WARMNET conference on 30 June at the University of Nottingham Jubilee campus.
The event is aimed at professionals working in the private and public sectors who have a waste problem or just want to find out more about how they can reduce their waste bills. Delegates will learn from case studies on novel energy from waste projects, effluent treatment with hydrogen production and will be given presentations on recent policy developments and legislation updates.
The Sustainable Construction iNet will deliver a session on how it can support organisations to access financial support through two schemes: Innovation Support Grants offering up to £10,000 and the Higher Education Collaboration Grant, offering up to £50,000.
To qualify for an Innovation Support Grant (ISG) the application must be operating commercially in construction or an associated industry sector such as mining, quarrying, waste management, energy or water. They must also require technical or consultancy assistance for their idea, product or process and expect to protect or create jobs in the East Midlands as a result.
The Higher Education Collaboration Fund (HECF) provides grants for companies to access the support and expertise of the region’s universities. The fund requires two or more East Midlands higher education institutions and one or more construction companies, employing fewer than 250 people, to work together towards a commercial goal that will ultimately deliver competitive advantage.
The partnership created as a result of the HECF may also enable the applicant to bid for even larger sums from the European Union and other sources.
Introduced by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), the Sustainable Construction iNet has a number of roles, including helping companies create and safeguard jobs. The iNet focuses on a number of key themes in delivering support to businesses. Not only does the iNet promote resource efficiency, it encourages businesses to introduce innovative, sustainable construction processes into new-build and refurbishments as well as renewable energy products and waste minimisation. The iNet is fully supportive of the Code for Sustainable Homes and is committed to the development of intelligent buildings.
Warren Pope, BRE adviser for the Sustainable Construction iNet, will be presenting the session on Sustainable Construction at WARMNET. He said: “The East Midlands currently has a very strong construction sector. However, it is important that builders and organisations throughout the supply chain continue to innovate and invest in research and development.
“The reduction of waste – whether as a consequence of new-build or refurbishment – is central to our plans to help the construction sector in the East Midlands remain strong and competitive. During the presentation, I will be explaining that, not only does the Sustainable Construction iNet offer specialist advice and information; we can also provide funding programmes to support innovation throughout the construction sector supply chain. This support is designed to increase productivity and reduce waste to promote long term sustainability and business growth.”
The Sustainable Construction iNet is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The aim of the iNet is to share expertise and stimulate the research and development of new products, services and processes.
Businesses wanting to find out more about the Sustainable Construction iNet and the grants available should attend the WARMNET event or telephone 01604 892020 or visit www.eminnovation.org.uk.
-ENDS-
Issued on behalf of the Sustainable Construction iNet by Lava. For further information contact Matt or Lindsey at Lava on 01522 842800 / matt@lavapr.co.uk / lindsey@lavapr.co.uk
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Notes to editors
About East Midlands Innovation
· East Midlands Innovation is the Regional Science and Industry Council which was established in 2005 by emda.
· East Midlands Innovation’s principle responsibility is to take the lead for emda in implementing the Innovation Strategy and Action Plan for the East Midlands with the aim to grow a long term, sustainable, innovation-led economy.
About emda
· East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development.
· Working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations the aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) ‘A Flourishing Region’, which sets out regional priorities until 2020.
· The RES, coordinated by emda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies; ‘Prosperity Through People’ and ‘Destination 2010’.
· In early 2007 the National Audit Office announced emda had received the highest possible grade of ‘performing strongly’ in an independent assessment of our work – scoring 22 out of 24.
· www.emda.org.uk
About ERDF
The ERDF Programme aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by supporting regional economic development.
The ERDF objectives for England are:
Promoting innovation and knowledge transfer
Stimulating enterprise and supporting successful business
Ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption
Building sustainable communities
Improving accessibility and connectivity (for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly only – as part of their Convergence Programme).
A Programme Monitoring Committee consisting of regional stakeholders such as Government Offices, RDAs, Regional Assemblies, Local Authorities, Sub-regional Partnerships, Higher Education Institutions, Trade Unions, and the private and voluntary sectors will monitor and oversee programme implementation in each region.
For more information on ERDF funding generally, please visit www.erdf.communities.gov.uk or http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funds/feder/index_en.htm
About ERDF in the East Midlands
· The East Midlands is eligible for 268.5m Euros between 2007 and 2013, which, when combined with match funding, provides a programme value of approximately £420m – a significant investment in the economic development of the region.
· The East Midlands qualifies as a competitiveness and employment region under the EU’s Cohesion Policy, which aims to meet the EU Lisbon objective to become ‘the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social inclusion.’
· East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is responsible for the programme management and delivery of the region’s 2007-13 ERDF Competitiveness Programme. The responsibility for the ERDF programme management was transferred from the Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM) to emda following a decision by the UK Government to seek greater alignment between ERDF and regional strategies and funding streams. The 2007-13 ERDF Programme is therefore set firmly within the framework of the Regional Economic Strategy.
· A Programme Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Regional Director of Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM), guides the strategic direction of the programme and works closely with emda.
· To find out more about ERDF, the region’s strategy for delivering the funds, how to apply for funding and how the programme is managed, please visit www.eastmidlandserdf.org.uk <http://www.eastmidlandserdf.org.uk>
About WARMNET
· WARMNET is the Waste and Resource Management Network.
· The 6th annual Tackling Waste conference showcasing postgraduate and industry research into waste management will take place on 29th and 30th of June 2009 at the Jubilee Campus of the University of Nottingham.
· The Tackling Waste Conference is jointly organised by: The School of Applied Sciences, University of Northampton and The School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham.
