Eco-innovation Cumbria is a 4-year programme to help SMEs just like yours to improve efficiency, grow capacity and develop new solutions for industry.
The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and brings together expertise from the University of Cumbria, University of Central Lancashire and Lancaster University.
Eco-innovation Cumbria will help SMEs to:
- Identify and create opportunities to supply into the low carbon market
- Develop a multi-sector network across Cumbria
- Increase innovation in low carbon technologies
- Access academic expertise and specialist resource
- Develop products or processes which reduce greenhouse gases
- Increase engagement in Research and Development
- Provide exchange of knowledge to encourage companies to develop new products and services
If you are an SME based in Cumbria and think this is of interest, please contact us by emailing enterprise.services@cumbria.ac.uk or calling 01228 888740 or contact Glyn Griffiths directly at glyn.griffiths@cumbria.ac.uk or call 07779 132185.
Student internships – how to search & apply
Paid opportunities are advertised on our current vacancies section of the website
If you are interested in signing up for notifications of our internship opportunities please sign up here
Benefits of taking on an internship include:
o Getting paid fairly for the work you do
o Adding to your CV by increasing your skills, knowledge & experience
o Helping you to gain an insight into the way organisations operate and the challenges they face
o Giving you and the employer a chance to 'try before you buy' and clarify whether this type of work is really for you
Reasonable travel expenses will be paid and an academic leader will support you whilst you are undertaking your internship and a dedicated project manager will help you along the way.
Open Innovation Workshops
For upcoming innovation workshops for SMEs in Cumbria, see below;
Coaching for Innovation
A 3-part short programme designed to help small businesses overcome barriers to innovation and encourage innovative thinking within their business, book here
- Part 1 - 14th November, People First Conference Centre, Carlisle (8.30 – 12.30)
- Part 2 – 12th December, (8.30 – 12.30) location TBC
- Part 3 – 16th January, (8.30 – 12.30) location TBC
Following these short sessions you will be entitled to a 1-hour follow up session/call with one of the course leaders.
Want to know more?
How does the programme work in practice?
Eco-Innovation Cumbria will support SMEs in developing their eco-innovation projects, involving either:
- In-depth and intensive one to three year assistance, provided collaboratively by experienced academics, graduate and PhD students
- 20 day research projects provided by undergraduate students, supported by academic supervisors
Which sectors are best suited to the programme?
The project will target sectors that contribute to Environmental Sustainability, which could include, but is not limited to:
- Renewable energy
- Energy efficiency
- Water management
- Waste management
- Transport
- Visitor economy
- Conservation
- Natural resources
- Manufacturing
If you have queries about whether your organisation is eligible, please feel free to get in touch with us by emailing enterprise.services@cumbria.ac.uk or calling 01228 888740.
What else does Eco-innovation Cumbria involve?
Eco-innovation Cumbria will provide a variety of free workshops and events around Cumbria to explore innovation challenges across multiple sectors, including:
- Key note lectures to expand knowledge and stimulate divergent thinking in an informal setting
- One day thematic workshops to explore a range of real and theoretical challenges around innovation
- Open innovation forums enabling inter-company cooperation around Research & Development, sharing knowledge and experience for mutual benefit
Grow your idea
If you are interested in finding out more, get in touch today to discuss the eligibility of your business with one of our team.
Email enterprise.services@cumbria.ac.uk
Email glyn.griffiths@cumbria.ac.uk
Call us on 01228 888740 or contact Glyn directly on 07779 132185
The programme is led by the University of Cumbria, partnering with Lancaster University and the University of Central Lancashire, and funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
