COMMUNITY businesses across Bradford can apply for a learning programme and a grant matched to their earnings of up to £10,000.

The scheme run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) in partnership with Power to Change, is designed to help support their growth.

The Community Business Trade Up Programme is open for applications until Thursday, February 14, 2019.

An information session will run at the Carlisle Business Centre in Bradford on January 31 and there will also be an online information session on February 5.

This is the third year the programme has run but the grant is a new type of funding that matches an increase in income from trading.

The free programme supports the leaders of community businesses with: a Match Trading grant of up to £10,000; a fully funded nine-month learning programme consisting of 12 learning days; and a community of supportive peers.

The Match Trading grant was created by SSE and incentivises social organisations to develop their trading base so they can build stronger futures.

The learning programme will help the leaders of community businesses to develop the skills, strengths and networks they need to increase their impact, with a focus on increasing their sales and income from trading.

It runs from June 2019 to March 2020 and there are places for 80 community business leaders across England. The courses will be held at seven locations across the country.

Sue Osborne, CEO of SSE Yorkshire & North East, said: “Community businesses strengthen local economies and enrich the fabric of society. But running them can be challenging. We’ll help community business leaders develop the skills, strengths and networks they need to improve their sustainability and impact, with the support of Match Trading grants and a learning approach we’ve refined over 21 years.”

Charlie Gray, co-founder of Horton Community Farm co-operative in Bradford has recently completed an SSE programme.

She said: “As a local community business leader I would encourage anyone who is part of a community business to go along to one of the School for Social Entrepreneurs information sessions.

"Their approach to learning, and funding for community businesses is really refreshing; it’s very practical so you can apply what you’re learning straight away, and see the impact."

To find out more visit the-sse.org/community-business.