EDF and Enterprise Nation have launched a sustainability programme for small business owners, supported by NatWest and Square.

As part of the programme:

• Five businesses will receive a £5,000 grant to make substantial sustainability upgrades to their business.
• An extra five winners will get a workplace electric vehicle charger – that includes standard installation – from Pod.

You can apply for the grant, the charger or both.

Am I eligible?

To enter, you must:

• Be a UK-based business with fewer than 50 employees
• Have been trading for at least 12 months
• Have a business premises that you either rent or own
• Must have a Companies House registration number or be registered as a sole trader with proof of UTR

You can’t be in the process of insolvency, examinership, receivership or similar.

As for you as an individual, you must be a business owner (or have the business owner’s approval to apply).  You can’t be an employee of EDF, Enterprise Nation, NatWest or Square or have any immediate family members or members of your household who are.

Just know that if you want to go for the EV charger, there are extra eligibility requirements.

You must:

• Have dedicated off-street parking for employees or visitors (a residential address is not allowed)
• Get permission from your landlord if you’re in rented premises

Read over what you need to have in place for ‘electrical readiness’. For example, a site management service subscription is required at £9 per charger per month to access management controls.

Note that the cash grant is taxable and it’s your responsibility to meet that liability.

What can I use the grant for?

EDF says that you can use it for the following:

• Upgrading major equipment
• Installing solar panels
• EV charging infrastructure
• Battery storage EV chargers
• Small solar installation
• Heat pumps
• Deposit for EV/EV fleet
• Replacing old heaters
• Energy-efficient appliances such as:
  • Fridges
  • Kettles
  • Cooking appliances
  • Dishwashers
  • Enhanced insulation (walls/loft/floor)

How do I apply?

The competition opens on July 21, 2026 and runs until midnight on August 31, 2026. You must be able to outline how the grant or charger would make your business more sustainable, sharing your story if requested.

Create an Enterprise Nation account to get started with your application.

It’s a requirement to fill out an eligibility form when you fill out an application. Once you’re confirmed as eligible, you can carry on with the application process.

All applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges.  

If your application is successful, someone at Enterprise Nation will contact you to let you know.  

Aaron Asadi, CEO of Enterprise Nation, added: “Small businesses have the ambition to become more sustainable, but access to funding can often hold them back. By partnering with EDF Small Business, we’re giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to invest in changes that are good for their business and good for the environment. We look forward to seeing applications from innovative businesses across the UK.”

Read more

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