Advice on getting funding from the EU

THE European Union has a large portfolio of funding programmes that may not be well-known within the Northern Ireland business community. Hence, I have launched a Directory of Funding for businesses containing 38 funding programmes as well as 4 key support initiatives on obtaining financial support.

The Directory provides a reference point listing the different sources of funding that businesses can apply for. It is not is not a complete list but is a snapshot of current opportunities.

It starts out with a practical section on how to get started on with European funding with key websites and contact organisations. The programmes are divided into sub-headings for easy reference. These are Agriculture, Environment, Rural Life, Tourism; Business, Enterprise, Innovation, Industry; Co-operation Across Borders; Culture and Media; Skills, Education and Training; Social Affairs and Services; transport; Selling outside Northern Ireland. There is also a short section on four sources of financial support.

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Each fund is described under the key headings of main aim of fund, size of funding programme, grant schemes available, contact telephone and website. Where possible, a short case study is included of a business in Northern Ireland that has benefitted from the funding.

We put huge sums of money into Europe every year and my goal as MEP is to see as much of that money returned to Northern Ireland as possible. This, along with my directory of funds for the community and not-for-profit organisations, is aimed at increasing awareness of what is available from the EU in relation to funding.

If anyone wishes to obtain a copy of these funding resources, please visit my website at www.dianedodds.co.uk or contact my office on 02892 667733.

Diane Dodds MEP

DUP Member of the European Parliament