Business Boot Camp Launches

A Business Boot Camp for young entrepreneurs to start up or grow their business and an initiative for existing businesses to help them expand into new markets have received European Union funding, as it was launched through the COMET INTERREG Partnership.

COMET (Councils of the Metropolitan Area) is a partnership of six local authorities located within the Greater Belfast metropolitan area, which include Belfast City, Lisburn City, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh; Newtownabbey and North Down Borough Councils. It looks at opportunities for collaboration on economic development issues, identifying sub-regional projects that address the region's needs.

INTERREG funds are administered in Northern Ireland by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The COMET INTERREG Partnership is funded under the European Regional Development Fund through the European INTERREG IVA Structural Funds Programme.

The 'Business Boot Camp Programme' has received £831,000 in EU funding and aims to actively help young entrepreneurs aged 16 to 35 years old to 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. 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 INTERREG Partnership, said: "We are absolutely delighted to launch our INTERREG funded projects at Lisburn Civic Centre today. COMET has been working together on economic development collaboration since 2002 with the total value of INTERREG funding secured standing at just over £2 million. 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.

"We are particularly delighted to have secured funding for the Business Boot Camp Programme and to be promoting this programme as it focuses on young people - recognising their contribution to the economy and our belief in their abilities."

(CD/MH)