Local Council Support News - 13th May 2024

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council

SheVentures, the First Ever All Ireland Women Entrepreneurs and Investors Summit

Announced for May 20th at Lusty Beg Island Resort, Co. Fermanagh.

Momentum is building as AwakenHub, the only all island of Ireland community of women founders gears up for their highly anticipated inaugural 2-day SheVentures all-island Summit.

Promising a unique gathering where innovation meets inspiration, over 250 women founders, male allies, investors and leaders will descend on the scenic island of Lusty Beg, Co. Fermanagh. Having secured a renowned lineup of keynote speakers poised to share their extensive range of expertise, knowledge and insight, this is a must-attend opportunity and promises to be an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

For full details and tickets click here.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council

Go Succeed: Introducing the Magic of Canva for Business

Thursday 23rd May, 2024, 12.30-1.45pm.

Online Masterclass

A practical lunchtime learning on how to use the free Canva platform for the visual marketing needs of your business.

Who is this course designed for?

Business owners, managers, marketers and individuals contributing content to social media channels such as facebook, instagram etc. This interactive workshop led by Clara Maybin is designed at a beginners level and aims to inspire and help you to start maximising the opportunities that the free version of Canva can offer you and your business.

Find out more and book your place here.

Go Succeed: Food and Drink Peer Network

Food and Drink Businesses actively trading and based within Causeway Coast and Glens Borough, will be given the opportunity to meet and learn from peers trading in the same sector, within a Go Succeed network.

In order to achieve a best fit for participant businesses and in the event we are oversubscribed, we would like to ask you a few questions about your rationale for wanting to join this network.

Please note, your application will be ineligible if you are not actively trading and based within the Causeway Coast and Glens area.

Please complete your Expression of Interest Form, before the deadline of 5pm Sunday 19 May 2024.

Who is eligible?

Food and Drink businesses which are actively trading and based in Causeway Coast and Glens area.

Complete the expression of interest here.

Growth Deal - The Projects

Over the next 3 weeks, we will highlight the three pillars comprising nine projects, forming the £100m Growth Deal, announced last week for the Causeway Coast and Glens area. This week we focus on Pillar 1 which includes 3 innovation projects.

Pillar 1: Digital and Innovation (increasing ‘Innovation’)

The three digital and innovation projects are aimed at supporting growth in sectors of industry and research where the Borough already has a strong track record or where market failure is evidenced in the Borough and/or Northern Ireland-wide. Innovation is not like most other business functions and activities, in short, innovation is anything but business as usual.

Collectively these Growth Deal projects will provide the systematic approach which makes innovation within our local businesses a reality, not just a concept.

Funding for all these projects is subject to approval of outline and full business cases.

Read more about Pillar 1 Projects at Pages 7 and 8 here.

Ards and North Down Borough Council

Growth and Scaling upcoming workshops

Is your business already established and ready to expand, but growth is slow and you're not sure how to progress?

Have a look at the Go Succeed NI FREE online business workshops this month to help you grow your business.

For a full list of available workshops, please click here.

These workshops are brought to you as part of Go Succeed NI. Go Succeed represents a significant investment in local entrepreneurs and businesses, funded by the UK Government and powered by the UK Levelling Up Fund.

Engage and Foundation upcoming workshops

Do you have a great idea for a business, but you are not sure where to start?

Go Succeed NI have several FREE online business workshops this month to help you start your business journey!

Find out more by clicking on the workshops below!

For a full list of available workshops, please click here.

These workshops are brought to you as part of Go Succeed NI. Go Succeed represents a significant investment in local entrepreneurs and businesses, funded by the UK Government and powered by the UK Levelling Up Fund.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Integrate AI Into Your Business SME Workshop

Date and time: Friday 24 May 2024 at 9.30am – 2pm
Location: The Innovation Centre, Queen’s Road, Belfast, BT3 9DT

Hartree NI Hub are running an Artificial Intelligence (AI) workshop for SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) in Northern Ireland. The event will take place at the Catalyst in Belfast.

We will endeavour to demystify AI and help you identify and realise the AI opportunity within your business. The focus on the day will NOT be on theoretical discussion, rather it will be transferring this theory into practical, profitable applications for your business.

Our aim is to make it EASY for you to engage with the Hartree programme and take advantage of the fully funded support available. The event is FREE for SMEs to attend and lunch is provided! For more information email: info@hartreeni.uk

Register here.

Agri/Food Artificial Intelligence (AI) Solutions Training

Date and time: Wednesday 19 June 2024 at 9am – 2pm
Location: The Gables Bar and Restaurant, 40 Cookstown Road, Dungannon, BT71 4BQ

Are you involved in the Agri / Food sector in Northern Ireland? If so, you don't want to miss our upcoming AI Agri / Food event in Dungannon. You’ll get access to free training in AI, data science and more.

The Hartree Centre for Northern Ireland Hub is partnering with Advanced Food and Drink Manufacturing Network (AFDM), Bridge AI, and the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH), to bring our Artificial Intelligence (AI) expertise together. We will explore the potential and opportunity of data science and AI technologies within the Agri / Food Sector. Networking breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Get your tickets here.

Fit For Future

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is opening again for expression of interest to the Fit for Future grant scheme, aimed at supporting commercial premises throughout the borough's villages, towns and city.

Fit For Future is designed to help property owners bring vacant buildings back into use. Potential tenants seeking a minimum two year lease in an eligible property are also encouraged to apply.

Expressions of interest can be submitted here and will open from 9:00am Friday 10th May to 12:00noon on Friday 21st June 2024, with applications welcomed from:

• Owners of long-term vacant properties (2+ years)
• Potential tenants of vacant properties (2+ years)

To find out more click here.