Local Council Support News - 10th June 2024

Mid Ulster Council

Digital Transformation Flexible Fund

With emerging technologies playing an increasingly important role in helping businesses to grow – can you afford to miss out?

The Digital Transformation Flexible Fund (DTFF)can offer eligible businesses and social enterprises help to fund their digital transformation project. Digital technology is transforming the way in which businesses operate, helping them to gain a competitive edge and achieve long term success. The DTFF grants are worth between £5,000 and £20,000 and are designed to help small and micro businesses accelerate their digital transformation ambitions. If eligible, the grant can fund up to 70% of the cost of a project with 30% match funding from the applicant.

Online and in-person workshops are running in May and June to provide interested business with information on how to access the fund, and are delivered by digital experts.

Now available for booking here.

There is also an in-person Workshop in each Council area. Mid Ulster’s is:

Date: Thursday 20 June 2024
Time: 9.15am-10:30am
Location: The Burnavon, Burn Road, Cookstown

One hour Webinars for businesses to hear more about each of the technologies and how they can be used in businesses are every Tuesday at 2pm starting on 28 May – more information and registration here.

Becoming an Employer of Choice in Mid Ulster

The Mid Ulster LMP is hosting a breakfast event compered by Paul Clark (UTV) which aims to equip employers with actionable information and tools that will help them attract and retain top talent, to move towards becoming an employer of choice. Two panel discussions will take place on Creating a Positive and Healthy Workplace and Removing Barriers. There will also be a breakout session offering a choice of two workshops, on either Managing Change or Leadership Style and Communication Skills.
Panelists will include local successful businesses: Bloc Blinds, Edge Innovate, Linden Foods and Translink. Employers will also have the chance to meet a wide range of local support organisations face to face, for further questions, advice and support.

Date: Thursday 13 June 2024
Time: 8:30am-11:30am
Location: The Royal Hotel, 64-72 Old Coagh Road, Cookstown, BT80 8NG

For full details and to register click here. If you have any additional queries, contact LMP Project Delivery Officer, Colleen Bell via email colleen.bell@midulstercouncil.org.

Driving Net Zero Transformation - Business Breakfast

This business breakfast event will provide attendees with an opportunity to learn how they can benefit from the new Mid South West Net Zero programme. There will be an opportunity to hear from a large manufacturing company in Mid Ulster and how they are approaching Net Zero. Attendees will also hear from leading funders about green finance and renewable technology providers. This free event is open to business leaders from micro, small and medium size businesses.

Date: Thursday 27 June 2024
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Location: The Burnavon, Burn Road, Cookstown

Register by emailing: Mid South West Net Zero Business Breakfast – Mid Ulster

For more info around the programme, contact Paul Clancy via email paul.clancy@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

Embrace the Tourism Spirit

Thinking about diving into tourism? Whether you're considering becoming an accommodation provider or offering unique activities and experiences, now is the perfect time to explore your options!

Visitor spend is expected to contribute over £1bn to the NI economy in 2025. This event will introduce you to local tourism opportunities and the support available to help develop tourism business ideas, assess viability and bring your ideas to market.

This workshop is 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.

Please note as this is an in-person event, the registration numbers for this are restricted. Whilst Go Succeed operates across NI, this event is being hosted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, therefore should the event reach capacity and a waiting list is created, priority access will be given to Businesses based in the above Council area.

Date: Tue 18 June 2024 - 6:00PM - 7:30PM
To reserve your place, visit here.

Ards and North Down Borough Council

Digital Transformation for Business - at Eddie Irvine Sports

Businesses are invited to network and hear from local providers of Augmented Reality Solutions, AI, Big Data and the Internet of Things and have the opportunity to experience Virtual Reality Formula 1 at Eddie Irvine Sports. The event will explain what these emerging technologies are and why they are important to local businesses. Attendees will also get to hear about current Council funding mechanisms to help facilitate digital transformation ambitions.

Date: Tuesday 11 June at 10:00am – 11:30am
Location: Eddie Irvine Sports, 41 Balloo Road, Bangor, BT19 7PR
Tea and coffee is available upon arrival.

Last few spaces remaining - registration is essential.

To register click here.

Go Succeed Female Focus Group

Are you ready to take the next step in business? Join us for an exclusive female focus group to discuss barriers to self-employment and how to overcome them.

Go succeed is a ‘catch all’ service that meets the needs of many, including female entrepreneurs. However, it is widely recognised that many female entrepreneurs face and overcome additional barriers such as childcare, other caring responsibilities and a requirement for flexible working. Other aspects of starting up and operating a business that directly impact women are less well understood and it is these barriers that ANDBC in partnership with Kilcooley Women’s Centre seek to understand and potentially develop a specific support service.

This event is open to any female over age of 16 (in business or just thinking about it)

Find out more here.

To register email signaladmin@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.

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.

Building A Sustainable Start Up

The Go Succeed Start team hosts this in-person workshop, ‘Building A Sustainable Start Up’, delivered in partnership with SRC.

Join our immersive 2-hour workshop. Engage with a diverse community of aspiring entrepreneurs as we explore key steps to create businesses that thrive economically and positively impact the environment. From defining sustainability to legal considerations, funding options, and impactful branding, embark on a journey towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Date: Wednesday 19th June 10:00 - 12:00                                               

Location: SERC Bangor

Register here.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council

Digital Trasformation Flexible Fund

DTFF Pre-Briefing Session Causeway Coast and Glens.

Date: 18th June 2024 10:00 - 11:30                                                         

Location: Civic Headquarters, Cloonavin, Coleraine.

Additional pre-application briefings (in person and online) are offered between 17 June and 3 July. This link will take you to all dates: DTFF Pre-Application Briefings.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Digital Transformation Flexible Fund Call 3

The DTFF (Digital Transformation Flexible Fund) aims to help small and micro businesses in Northern Ireland to invest in advanced digital technologies. It establishes a grant fund to support eligible businesses with investments in capital equipment that is critical to achieving their digital transformation ambitions.

Register for the DTFF pre-briefing sessions

Interested applicants should attend a pre-briefing session before submitting an Expression of Interest. Several Councils across Northern Ireland are hosting in-person pre-briefing sessions. The ABC Council area Pre-Briefing Session will take place on Thursday 20 June at 10-11.30am in Craigavon Civic Centre. Register here.

Further Support

You can also register to join the free thematic webinars from the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute here, focusing on the advanced digital technologies eligible for funding under the DTFF. The webinars will take place until 25 June 2024.

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.