Getting Involved with the Centre for Sustainable Innovation
Step 1: Understand What CSI Can Do for Your Business
The Centre for Sustainable Innovation (CSI) supports small and medium-sized enterprises in becoming more sustainable, innovative, and competitive. Whether you’re aiming to improve your environmental impact, facilitate change within your organisation or develop new products or services, CSI offers practical support and expert guidance.
Step 2: Define Your Business Goals
Start by identifying what your business needs most. Are you looking to:
- Improve operational efficiency?
- Develop a new sustainable product or service?
- Upskill your team in digital or green innovation?
- Access funding or research expertise?
Knowing your goals will help you find the right kind of support, but don’t worry if you don’t know yet – we’ll help guide you on the right path.
Step 3: Choose the Right Programme for Your Business
We offer a range of programmes tailored to different SME needs.
Here’s a summary of each, including who it’s for:
Creative Tech Labs
Helps businesses explore creative technologies and develop commercial strategies and go-to-market plans.
Eligibility: SMEs working in or with creative and digital sectors.
Help to Grow: Management Course
A practical leadership and management training course to help SME leaders grow their business sustainably.
Eligibility: UK-based SMEs with 5–249 employees. The business must have been operating for at least one year and not be a charity.
Innovation Labs
A fully funded support programme designed to accelerate innovation projects with expert guidance and access to resources.
Eligibility: SMEs with a clear innovation challenge or idea, typically located in Greater Manchester or surrounding regions.
Know Digital
A free online learning platform covering digital skills such as AI, virtual reality and cybersecurity.
Eligibility: Open to all SMEs interested in improving their digital capabilities
Made Smarter
Supports digital transformation through expert advice, training and funding for technology adoption.
Eligibility: Manufacturing and engineering SMEs in the North West of England
Sustainable Futures
Supports SMEs in the automotive supply chain to align with national decarbonisation goals.
Eligibility: SMEs operating in or supplying the automotive sector.
OpenSME
A flexible, on-demand training programme to help SMEs build skills in areas like finance, digital, markets and people.
Eligibility: Open to small and medium-sized businesses, particularly those based in the North West of England
Not looking to enroll in a programme? We also offer additional services, including:
Step 4: Start the Conversation
Whether you’re looking to get involved with one of our programmes, not sure which is the best fit or have a specific idea or challenge in mind, get in touch with us. We’ll help you explore your options and guide you through the next steps.
We’d love to hear from you!