European funding for disabled business start-ups
by WIN Admin — published in Press Releases
A PROJECT is to be launched to encourage more than 1,000 people in the North East who are disadvantaged or have disabilities to set up their own businesses. The Northern Pinetree Trust has received the backing of the European Union through £460,000 investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013, managed by One North East.
The Trust is based in Birtley but operates across the whole of the North East offering free provision to people with a disability, disadvantaged community or long-term illness.
It is providing the match funding for the project which will take on 15 coaches to give training as well as ecnourage people to go into business.
It is specifically aimed at those who have a physical, mental, sensory, learning or hidden disability or who are members of specific communities across the North East where individuals are disadvantaged.
Michael Leithrow, chief executive at Northern Pinetree Trust, said: “This project is targeting those with the intention and idea to set up their own business but who face a variety of barriers that would normally prevent them from taking the idea forward.
“This project will ensure the correct level of coaching is offered to allow people to make an informed choice as to whether self-employment is a pursuable option.”
Lesley Calder, head of European and skills strategy at One North East, said: “ERDF investment will help support many disabled or disadvantaged potential entrepreneurs take the first critical steps to business start up through customised support. The project will help to increase the stock of new business starts in the North East helping create an enterprise
surge.”
Source: The Journal