DRIVE programme

DRIVE was an ERDF-funded grant programme offered by Norfolk County Council in partnership with Suffolk County Council.

DRIVE offered businesses contributing to the rural economy in Norfolk and Suffolk 12 hours of business mentoring to create project and business plans, after which the applicant was able to apply for a capital grant of between £5k and £40k, towards up to 40% of project costs.

The programme is now closed, and up to the end of 2023 the programme supported:

• 101 businesses with 12 hours of support
• 74 businesses receiving a grant
• The creation of 98 jobs, with 26 additional to be created by end of 2024
• Over £4m of private-sector match funding leveraged to deliver business development projects.

To contact the team, please email driveteam@norfolk.gov.uk.