A £1M INVESTMENT will help share learning and build employment and growth opportunities among young entrepreneurs and existing businesses.
European Union funding, through the Comet Interreg Partnership, is behind both initiatives. Comet (Councils of the Metropolitan Area) is the partnership of Belfast City, Lisburn City, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh; Newtownabbey and North Down Borough Councils.
The initiatives look at opportunities for collaboration on economic development issues, identifying sub-regional projects that address the region’s needs.
The Business Boot Camp for young entrepreneurs has received £831,000 and aims to actively help young entrepreneurs aged 16 to 35 start or grow their businesses in a time of economic uncertainty.
It will provide a unique learning experience through both interactive and tailored advice and hands-on support. The project is delivered jointly by Comet and Donegal County Council as Comet’s cross-border partner.
The Gateways to Growth — Supply Buy Network project has secured £227,000 in EU funding and will be delivered by Comet in partnership with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce and Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce in Donegal.
It will provide opportunities for up to 300 small and medium-sized enterprises in the supply chain to meet and sell to potential buyers while developing the skills to help them expand into new markets.
Councillor Jenny Palmer, chair of the Comet Inerreg Partnership, said: “As a partnership we are leading two amazing cross-border initiatives and are looking forward to continued and enhanced cross-border work with our partners.’
Jonathan Duncan is one young entrepreneur who has taken part in the Business Boot Camp Programme. Jonathan is the owner of Rising Sun — a supplier of pre-packed Japanese food.
“Working on my own has its disadvantages as I have no-one to bounce ideas off.
“So being on the Business Boot Camp Programme where I was working with people from different business backgrounds, with varying levels of experience, was invaluable.”
He added: “Getting the chance to network and share ideas with other business owners was really worthwhile.”