South East Creatives
Businesses in the creative, cultural and digital sectors in East Sussex are being encouraged to take advantage of a new £5.1million grants and support programme running across East Sussex, Kent and Essex.
Between now and December 2020, the South East Creatives scheme aims to help more than 370 companies across the region, including sole-traders, with business support or match-funded grants of up to £20,000, with the aim to provide a £2.5m boost to the creative economy in the South East.
The Creative Industries are a success story, playing a key role in the UK’s economic
recovery.Sir Peter BazalgetteIndependent Review of the Creative Industries
SECCADS
The programme, funded by the European Union’s Regional Development Fund, will be supported by established local cultural hubs in East Sussex these are Towner Art Gallery (pictured) in Eastbourne and De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea.
SECCADS offers grants that cover up to 35% of individual project costs and can cover marketing costs, research and development, staff, studio rental, equipment and much more. Typically, grants are between £1,000 and £3,000 but can be up to a maximum of £20,000 if the project has a very strong business case and will lead to job creation. Grants do not have to be paid back – SECCADS offers equity-free investment.
65% match-funding must be from private sources e.g. organisational profits, crowdfunding, Trusts & Foundations, a secured bank loan, personal contribution etc.
Grants awarded under the scheme can be used to fund both capital and revenue projects, including equipment, plant and machinery costs, salary costs towards a new role, supporting initial rent for new premises, funding the cost of purchasing patents, IT software and much more.
While the SECCADS website is due to be launched soon, the grants scheme is already open.
For more information about this programme and other sources of funding for your business email enquiries@locateeastsussex.org.uk