SWEF Enterprise Fund Start-Up Grant

Community Foundation Northern Ireland / SWEF Enterprise Fund

No deadline listed

Funding: Up to £500
Deadline: Check with the funder
Location: Northern Ireland
Applications: Rolling applications

Overview

Community Foundation Northern Ireland, in partnership with SWEF Enterprise Fund, gives start-up grants of up to £500 to people aged 18 to 30 who live in Northern Ireland and are starting a business. There is no deadline, so applications are open all year. The grant is for pre-revenue businesses or those turning over less than £500 a month. Applications must come from a majority shareholder. Applicants must be from a low-income household or facing other financial challenges that stop them developing the business. The money goes towards an item for the business, and that item should not exceed £2,000 in value. Businesses turning over more than £500 a month that have traded for less than 2 years should look at the separate SWEF Enterprise Fund Business Grant, which pays up to £2,000. The Grants Team can help with applications on 02890245927 or at grants@communityfoundationni.org.

Requirements to check

Who can apply:

individual

Key requirements:

Applicants must be aged 18 to 30
Applicants must live in Northern Ireland
The application must come from the majority shareholder
Applicants must be from a low-income household or facing other financial challenges preventing them from developing their business
The business must be pre-revenue or turning over less than £500 per month
The item the grant goes towards should not exceed £2,000 in value

Who it is for

People aged 18 to 30
Applicants who live in Northern Ireland
Pre-revenue businesses or those turning over less than £500 a month
Majority shareholders of the business
People from a low-income household or facing other financial challenges that prevent them developing the business

Who it is not for

Applicants under 18 or over 30
Applicants who live outside Northern Ireland
Businesses turning over more than £500 a month (see the Business Grant instead)
Applications from someone who is not the majority shareholder
Items costing more than £2,000

You can apply if you are aged 18 to 30 and live in Northern Ireland. Your business must be pre-revenue, or turning over less than £500 a month. The application must come from the majority shareholder. You must be from a low-income household, or facing other financial challenges that prevent you from developing your business. The item the grant pays towards should not exceed £2,000 in value.

This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.

See how well this grant fits your organisation, free

Create a free account and check your organisation against this grant’s requirements before you spend time applying. No card needed.

Start free

Who is this for?

Young people aged 18 to 30 in Northern Ireland with a pre-revenue business, or one turning over less than £500 a month, who face financial barriers.

Regions

Northern Ireland

No published award history for Community Foundation Northern Ireland / SWEF Enterprise Fund. Some funders do not publish their grants data.

Full details from Community Foundation Northern Ireland / SWEF Enterprise Fund

Delivered in partnership with SWEF Enterprise Fund, this grant helps young people in Northern Ireland aged 18-30 develop their business idea and access investment they would otherwise not be able to afford. It is aimed at pre-revenue businesses or those turning over less than £500 per month. Applicants must be from a low-income household or facing financial challenges, and must be a majority shareholder of the business.

How to apply

Apply through Community Foundation Northern Ireland, using the Find out more link for this grant on its available grants page. If you have already started an application, continue using the link emailed to you when you registered. The Grants Team can help with your application by email at applications@communityfoundationni.org or by phone on 028 9024 5927.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I get from the SWEF Enterprise Fund Start-Up Grant?

Start-up grants are awarded up to £500. The item the grant pays towards should not exceed £2,000 in value.

When is the SWEF Enterprise Fund Start-Up Grant deadline?

There is no deadline. The funder lists the grant as ongoing.

Who can apply to the SWEF Enterprise Fund Start-Up Grant in Northern Ireland?

You must be aged 18 to 30, live in Northern Ireland and be the majority shareholder. You must also be from a low-income household or facing other financial challenges, and your business must be pre-revenue or turning over less than £500 a month.

Loading your grant tools...

Get notified about grants like this

Create a free account to receive alerts when new funding opens.

Create free account

Last updated: 9 November 2026