GCU is supporting Glasgow's nature-based businesses

The University is teaming up with the City Council and social enterprise The Melting Pot to run a nature-based business accelerator programme.

The Horizon 2020 Project Connecting Nature programme, which ran for the first time last year, supports early-stage nature-based businesses and social enterprises (nature-based enterprises) that are, or could be, making positive environmental, social, and economic change in Glasgow.

The ideas may involve nature either directly or indirectly. The programme is seeking individuals, existing enterprises, entrepreneurs, students and staff to take part.

The overarching aims are to find new ways to encourage more local and resilient nature-based economies, create more green jobs, and help achieve net-zero targets. One of the main focuses of the pilot is how innovative enterprise ideas can help improve and maintain open spaces in Glasgow.

Director of GCU's Research & Innovation Office, Mark Majewsky Anderson, said: "This programme offers innovative ways of working in partnership locally to support social and community enterprise. The programme is looking for people who have a business idea that uses nature and could have a positive impact in the city."

Applications close on April 15. To learn more and to apply follow this link.

Last year's projects ranged from mental health and high-tech ecology, to education and urban farming.

GCU is supporting the project through Social Innovation Connect which aims to foster Social Innovation in Scotland and the UK, through a European Alliance.