NetWORKS Cross-border programme

UCIT Crossborder Neworks Programme Small Logo

The NetWORKS Cross Border Community Enterprise Programme is an initiative of Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) Ltd. in association with Ardee Community Development Company and Tuath (Donegal Community and Local Development Centre).

The NetWORKS Programme has announced it is currently accepting applications for its next programme (application deadline is August 25th) which will begin in October 2006 and run until June 2007.

Since 1994, the NetWORKs Programme has given 28 community businesses and social enterprises from throughout Northern Ireland and the Border Counties the opportunity to access free business mentorship and training for their projects. The promoters have recently secured funding for a further 2 year programme. It is funded through the EU Peace and Reconciliation Programme, managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the Cross Border Consortium.

Donal Traynor, the Project Manager explains:

“This new Programme will firstly provide free tailored training and mentoring support to all Social Businesses that are in the operational stages of managing a community enterprise. It will also encourage Social Businesses to learn from one another on a cross-border / cross-community basis, both in their ability to manage a community business and their social impact in their respective areas.
The aim is make community businesses more aware of the need to market themselves on a transcultural basis, overcoming barriers in situ as a legacy of the conflict and taking all opportunities applicable arising out of peace, including economic opportunities that have come about as a consequence of the peace process.

The NetWORKS Programme began when the promoters identified a gap in agency support for some community businesses, who were trying to achieve long term sustainability. A mentoring programme was developed and supplemented with a number of cross border workshops and residential events covering various topics which were identified through analysis conducted by WESTBIC, the agent responsible for the programme delivery in its early years.

Donal continues

“The overall aim of the programme is to help groups become better businesses and enable them to build a capital base of their own to continue. In turn this will establish new economic projects that bring about a wider social impact within their local community. We see the provision of a dedicated training and mentoring programme strengthening the entire social economy sector in Northern Ireland and throughout the Southern Border Region of Ireland.”

Social enterprises, including UCIT Loan Clients North and South, which are interested in availing of free business mentorship and training should contact:

Donal Traynor
Programme Manager
NetWORKS
The Cross Border Community Enterprise Programme
Ardee Business Park ,
Hale St .,
Ardee,
Co. Louth.
Republic of Ireland .
Tel: 00353 (0) 41 6858637
Fax: 00353 (0) 41 6858637
Email: info@CrossBorderNetworks.com
Website: www.crossbordernetworks.com


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