Grants on offer to help solve Covid challenges

Businesses are being asked to help solve some of the biggest Corona virus-related problems.

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is looking to address critical issues facing the marketplace while it adapts to a Covid-19 world.

And through Challenge North East, a new open innovation programme, the LEP is offering support to SMEs by offering up to £5,000 grant funding between January and March 2021 to develop solutions to specific challenges.

There is the possibility of being in the running to win a grant of up to £40,000 to scale the most impactful solution in each area.

The first programme – ‘Together again: Delivering safe and engaging in-person events’ – is looking for answers to how people might be able to gather safely again indoors and outdoors, while achieving an engaging experience for those watching at home.

Those interested in helping solve this challenge are invited to attend a virtual launch event on December 9.

The second challenge – ‘Adapting in-home services’ – looks at the delivery of services in peoples’ homes, impacting safety, confidence and trust and increasing the need for new approaches.

A virtual event is taking place on December 10.

Alan Welby, director of innovation at the North East LEP, said: “Two of the best things about the North East are its entrepreneurial nature and collaborative spirit.

"Through Challenge North East we want to harness both these things to resolve some of the issues that life with COVID-19 has presented.”

Visit www.challengenortheast.co.uk