Growing Green
A sustainability training programme for horticultural and plant-based food and drink businesses in Kent and Medway.
Reduce your carbon footprint and make your business grow greener.
Our tailored support will help you move towards net zero carbon emissions, find value from your waste materials, or help reduce your inputs and resources.
Your training will take place over three months, you will then be invited to apply for a small grant to help you achieve your net zero goals.
- Grant of up to £7k
- Accredited training and professional qualification
- Environmental sustainability assessment
- Personalised action plan
- Networking and events.
This flexible training programme will enable you to fit the support around your busy schedule. If you want to reduce energy costs, improve your environmental credentials and join a network of sustainable businesses in Kent and Medway, don't miss out.
The programme will run over three months and is open to micro, small and medium-sized businesses, registered or trading in Kent and Medway.
Places are limited. Each group will start on the following dates:
- Group one: February 2025
- Group two: April 2025
- Group three: May 2025
- Group four: June 2025
Apply for Growing Green
More details about our sustainability training programme, grants and how to apply
To help you on your net-zero journey, we offer research and innovation grants for improving business sustainability and waste circularity.
Take the next step on your sustainability journey
Achieving net zero carbon emissions encompasses all the processes within your business - from energy and transport to reducing your mains water use and waste materials. Cutting your resource use, and therefore your bills, makes good business sense.
Good for the planet, good for business:
- Save money on water and energy bills
- Be recognised by your customers as an innovative, sustainable business
- Discover new income streams by upcycling your waste
- Get ahead of the curve on upcoming legislations and customer requirements on sustainability
If you’re looking for inspiration on where to start making your horticultural and plant-based food and drink business more sustainable, read how businesses from our pilot programme got on in our case studies.
About the Growing Green pilot
Growing Green originally ran as a pilot scheme in 2022, funded by the UK Government and partners through the UK Community Renewal Fund.
The pilot programme helped 33 horticultural and plant-based food and drink businesses in Kent and Medway on their journey to reduce their carbon emissions and become more sustainable.
It provided training, co-developed decarbonisation action plans and issued grants to 24 of the businesses to the value of £180,000.
The Growing Green pilot was heralded as a success in an independent assessment report, for both the local economy and environment.
As well as driving down carbon emissions, the independent report anticipates the pilot project will deliver over 20 new jobs and £3 million in GVA (gross value added) in Kent and Medway by 2028.
The pilot was led by Growing Kent & Medway and delivered by Niab, Low Carbon Kent, Locate in Kent, Produced in Kent, University of Kent, the Kent Foundation and APS Produce Limited.
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Get in touch
Flora O'Brien
If you'd like to find out more about Growing Green, please speak to one of our team
