What is the STEM Project?

The STEM Project (Sustainable Together through Environmental Management) is a two year project, part financed by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. It is designed to work with 220 businesses across 11 cross border Council areas to help identify cost savings in Energy, Waste and Water. The Project aims to save a business on average £2,850/€3,420* per annum. The STEM Project acknowledges the significant role networking plays in a business, it is a cost effective way for businesses to develop, grow, innovate, share knowledge and best practice. Working closely with the needs of the businesses, the STEM Project will be identifying and facilitating a number of networks and clusters throughout the life of the project and sustained thereafter.

How we can help your business:

The STEM project will provide you with:

• Up to 5 days support tailored to your business requirements.
• Support to identify cost savings in your energy, waste and water costs
• Access to a range of high quality networking events.
• Financial support of 50% up to a maximum of £500/€600 will be provided to assist those businesses interested in gaining a certified Environmental Management System (EMS) such as ISO 14001 or BS 8555.

The STEM Project to date has successfully worked with over 300 businesses collectively saving them £554,000/€664,000* per annum, 80% of these businesses stated that they are now more competitive as a result of participating on the STEM Project and 35% are now able to access new markets.

Case studies:

Cross Refrigeration NI Ltd, Armagh

“Working with the STEM Project helped us greatly as we did not have the capacity within our organisation to work towards an EMS. Through the STEM Project we have gained a certified EMS which has saved us money in energy and landfill costs.”

Cherry Pipes Ltd, Dungannon

“The STEM Project helped us to understand how we could manage our business in a more environmentally sustainable way. This has helped us to market our business and remain compliant with legislation.”

Morgan Fine Fish, Louth

“The STEM coordinators were very helpful throughout the process and now that the system is in place we are already saving money. We are reducing our operational costs and cutting down on our product and packaging waste, recycling where possible which means less is going to landfill.”

How to apply:

To be eligible to apply to the STEM Project, your business needs to fulfil the following:

• Be a small to medium sized business (SME) with less than 250 employees and less than €50m turnover per annum or balance sheet total of less than €43m.
• Be located in one of the 11 participating Council Areas - Ards Borough Council, Armagh City & District Council, Banbridge District Council, Craigavon Borough Council, Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council, Down District Council, Louth County Council, Meath County Council, Monaghan County Council, Newry & Mourne District Council and North Down District Council.
• Have an annual utility spend (on energy, waste and water) of more than £20,000 (€24,000).

Closing date:

Closing date for application for this recruitment phase will be Friday 1st March 2013

Cost:

The cost of participating on the STEM Project Programme is £200/€240* per annum.

*Exchange rate may vary