LEO as a partner in the County Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership is delighted to be delivering the new Ethnic Entrepreneur Programme as part of the current PEACE III Phase II plan for County Louth.

Who can take part

The programme is open to members of ethnic and minority communities living in County Louth and the Newry & Mourne Area. The programme has different strands that will be useful for entrepreneurs who are already running their own business or future entrepreneurs who what to start a new business.

What is on offer

A.Starting Running and Growing a Business in Ireland Training Programme

Individuals who are planning to start a new business or those that are already running an established business can avail of a specially designed training programme covering all aspects of running and growing a business in Ireland. It will be a 12 week course that will be run over a combination of 2 evenings per week and 2 full day Saturday events.

The topics covered will include

* these topics may be subject to change
Successful ethnic entrepreneurs will attend some sessions to talk about they started their business. There will also speakers from local agencies and funding agencies to highlight possible sources of funding.

Each participant will leave the programme with a completed business plan to drive their business forward and approach possible funders. This course will be an accredited FETAC Level 6 module in Business Planning Participants will also have prepared a presentation of their business idea/growth plans which will help them learn to talk of their business with confidence and clarity.

 The course will be offered in both Drogheda and Dundalk and there are a limited number of places available.

C. Information Sessions

Established businesses who do not want to undertake the entire Starting Running & Growing a Business in Ireland course will have the option to attend individual sessions. Limited places are available and need to be pre booked 2 weeks in advance.

C. Mentoring

Course participants and individual existing entrepreneurs can avail of specialised mentoring sessions to address specific areas of their business or to help in the creation of their business plan. The mentor sessions can cover a range of subject areas and can be held on a one to one basis or several participants who want to work on the same area can avail of a joint session. The mentors will come to a location that suits the individual/s.

This is an ideal opportunity to get specialist help for your business at whatever stage it may be at

D. Networking with Louth Businesses

Ireland is a very small country and having a good network of contacts is vital to helping your business succeed. This programme hopes to help ethnic entrepreneurs avail of the benefits of local business networks. Through participation in the business training your communication and networking skills will be built on, giving you the confidence to utilise local, national and international business opportunities. Participants of the course will required to attend a number of networking sessions

1. Networking session A in Drogheda with other new business start ups

2. Networking session B in Dundalk with other new business start ups

3. Networking session C in Drogheda in conjunction with established business networks

4. Networking session D in Dundalk in conjunction with established business networks

Cost

There is no cost for participating in the programme although those that will be undertaking the training programme will be asked to pay a REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT of €100. This deposit can be paid in installments. The value of this programme per person is approximately €1800.

How to apply

Please complete the application form and return to Sarah Mallon at sarah.mallon@leo.louthcoco.ie or post to

Sarah Mallon
LEO
Quayside Business Park
Mill Street
Dundalk
County Louth

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RETURNED BY FRIDAY 14th MARCH.
Applications will be assessed and potential participants may be required to meet with the project manager before final acceptance on the course. Places are limited to 12 in each location.

Any queries should be send by email to sarah.mallon@leo.louthcoco.ie or contact 042 9396948

This programme is supported by the European Union's Peace III Programme as awarded by Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership