Coronavirus (COVID-19) Funding and Assistance

Social enterprises can access local and national grant funding and other assistance to help through the coronavirus outbreak. For details visit:

***Please note that some of the funding detailed on each of the above pages is available to social enterprises across the Heart of the South West area.***

Government Covid-19 guidance for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations including funding and fundraising and the role of volunteers

You can also find guidance and financial support offered by the government to charities

If you are unsure what type of support you are eligible for, you can find out using the Government business support checker tool. For more specific or technical questions on the available support, you can call the business support helpline on 0300 456 3565, or access online chat at https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus/. Both are open from 9am to 6pm Monday-Friday.

Social Enterprise UK have a Coronavirus Support and Resource page

For information about Government Covid-19 Business Support and other local support for businesses please visit the Heart of the South West Growth Hub Covid19 Support for Business page.

Devon County Council is re-opening the COVID-19 Fund to provide flexible resources to organisations working with communities who are clinically extremely vulnerable or disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the social and economic consequences of this current national lockdown. Applications can be submitted from 11 January 2021 until 5 March 2021. Grants will typically be between £300 and £700, although where there is evidence that a project is exceptional, we may enter into discussions with applicants and offer higher awards. For more information visit the Devon County Council COVID-19 Fund webpage: Devon County Council COVID-19 Fund webpage.

Visit the Grants and Funding Support Available webpage on the Devon County Council website for more links to grant and funding support Grants and Funding Support Available.

Devon based Social Enterprises can benefit from a new Listening Ear service provided by Devon Communities Together working in partnership with Devon County Council. The service offers a safe space to discuss the challenges of operating a business during Covid-19. You can book a session by visiting the Listening Ear webpage on the Devon Communities Together website: Listening Ear webpage.

Social Enterprise Networks

For opportunities to network and promote your social enterprise, consider joining your local Social Enterprise Network. Joining a Network means that you can capitalise on the increasing public and political interest in an alternative way of doing business whilst supporting local community development.

By joining a network you have access to information about activities across the area, which can include:

  • Inspiring local networking and connecting events, including visits and talks
  • Signposting, advice and support
  • Access to special discounts on goods and services
  • Heightened social media campaigns around key calendar dates
  • A collective voice to promote the benefits of social enterprises and their ethical difference

For more information and to become a member of your local Network, visit their website:

The Heart of the South West Enhance Social Enterprise Programme is receiving up to £1,053,610 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/england-2014-to-2020-european-structural-and-investment-funds