 Following the success of our popular Climate Action Microgrants programme in 2024, the Council's Climate Change team have now extended the funding to support projects and activities on an ongoing basis. This year there is a separate dedicated funding pot for schools, with funding on a termly basis.
Each month, climate action microgrants will award between £100 and £500 to community groups, schools, individuals or non-profits to run events, activities and initiatives that promote positive behaviours in the community around climate change and sustainability.
Microgrants aim to help spark and support locally-led climate action initiatives, providing small scale funding to help your local green initiative get off the ground or grow an existing project.
Next deadline is Friday 30 May for Community Microgrants and 23 May for School Microgrants.
 Are you a founder ready to unlock the next stage of growth and investment in your business? The Empower100 programme returns for 2025, offering ambitious entrepreneurs a 7-week journey of hands-on support, expert guidance, and unparalleled access to investors and mentors.
Previous alumni have left the programme thriving — with sharper strategies, investor-ready decks, expanded networks, and the confidence to scale.
If you're ready to elevate your business with the backing of the Virgin StartUp team and a vibrant community of peers. Deadline is 15th May.
Wandsworth residents and businesses are invited to share their views and experiences of local pharmacy services as part of the 2025 Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment to help ensure services continue to meet the needs of the community.
The survey is short, confidential and only takes a few minutes to complete.
 Constant Contact, the digital marketing platform built for small businesses, is offering a game-changing opportunity: the chance to win a share of £300,000 in national TV advertising—including full production costs.
In partnership with Enterprise Nation and Channel 4, this initiative will give three small businesses the chance to take their brand into homes across the UK and be seen by millions.
Ten finalists will each receive a tailored marketing package, including a £2,000 grant. From there, three winners will be chosen at a live pitch day to have their very own TV ad professionally produced and aired.
Getting more customers is the #1 challenge small businesses face. This is your chance to overcome it - on a national stage.
Apply now and put your brand in the spotlight.
 Celebrate local heroes and spotlight your brand. The Wandsworth Civic Awards honour those who make a real difference—from volunteers to climate champions.
Sponsorship offers more than community goodwill. Gain high-profile exposure across press, social media, and Brightside Magazine (reaching 158,000 households), plus extra visibility throughout Wandsworth’s 2025 Borough of Culture celebrations.
Show your support. Amplify your brand. Become a sponsor today!
For more information email eventscomms@wandsworth.gov.uk
World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens introduces Jazz in the Gardens – an exquisite selection of jazz on Friday nights throughout the summer at its intimate music venue in Nine Elms.
From Friday 25 April until Friday 11 July, expect some of the world’s finest jazz artists, including Wandsworth jazz legend Julian Joseph, Grammy-award winner Jean Toussaint and renowned bassist Yolanda Charles’ Project Ph Album Launch.
Visit here for full concert line-up
To win a pair of tickets (T&Cs apply) to Ensconced - an exciting collaboration initiated during the pandemic years between leading UK guitarist/composer Ant Law and Milan-born British/Turkish vocalist, composer and lyricist Brigitte Beraha.
Please answer the following question:
What’s World Heart Beat Embassy Garden’s summer concert series called?
- Rock in the Gardens
- Jazz in the Gardens
- Folk in the Gardens
Email your answer to open4business@wandsworth.gov.uk by May 12th May
Business Launchpad is inviting local employers to take part in Career Connect a two-day event which takes place 17th-18th June.
The event aims to support 100 young people with employability skills, industry insights, and access to local opportunities.
Employers can get involved by offering career advice, sharing job pathways, or hosting a stall at our courtyard fair.
To find out more email - Indigo@businesslaunchpad.org.uk
Businesslaunchpad.org.uk
The Council's new draft policy is designed to improve access across the borough, and we want to hear your thoughts!
Single use vapes banned from 1st June
Trading Standards wishes to remind the business community that single use vapes will soon be banned, with the deadline fast approaching. The ban applies to all single use vapes whether or not they contain nicotine, and applies to shops and online sales. Businesses selling single use vapes must sell through their stock before 1st June. From this date onwards single use vapes cannot be sold. Failing to comply with the ban could lead to products being seized and traders facing legal action, such as a fine. Trading Standards has taken firm action recently against sales of illegal oversized vapes with two businesses ending up in court.
Businesses should take the opportunity to ensure their sales staff are aware of the new rules and can answer any customers queries.
It is also important to check any new stock meets the new requirements for vapes and is not caught by the ban. If businesses find that a supplier offers them single use vapes after 1st June, then this can be reported to trading standards using the details below.
The ban is being introduced to deal with the issues created by single use vapes. 8.2 million vapes are now thrown away or littered every week in the UK, which is the equivalent of 13 each second. However, recycling single-use vapes is notoriously arduous, with waste industry workers needing to take them apart by hand which can be a slow and costly process. Their contents also present a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment. Single use vapes are also favoured due to their lower price when compared with the refillable equivalents. The ban plays a role in reducing take up of vaping by adults and reducing illegal underage sales.
Trading Standards advises businesses use the following checklist to get ready:
- Sell through remaining single use vapes by 1st June
- Get familiar with the new rules by reading guidance here Single-use vapes ban - GOV.UK
- Check new stock is compliant with the ban
- Discuss the ban with sales staff
- Remove or properly dispose of non-compliant stock by 1st June
- Seek further advice if needed
The Regulatory Services Partnership provides Trading Standards for Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth. For requests for advice or to make a report that the ban is not being complied with please contact trading.standards@merton.gov.uk
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