Budding entrepreneurs are being offered an extra helping hand thanks to a further £1.3 million from the European Union.
Councillor Laura Willoughby, executive member for communities explains:
"There are many people with great business ideas in Islington and what they need is advice and support. It's great news that SIED has received an extra £1.3 million which will go towards helping people achieve their dream of running their own business."
Supporting Inclusion in Enterprise Development (SIED) is an innovative Islington Council three-year project helping people from deprived and ethnic minority communities set up in business.
Made up of over 50 organisations from Islington, Camden and Lewisham SIED includes community groups, business and enterprise support agencies.
Since it began in 2005 over 217 people have benefited from support and advice from trained business advisers. This ranges from helping local entrepreneurs understand and comply with HM Revenue & Customs regulations to offering training in health and safety legislation.
George Ignatious, a lighting designer set up in shop in Archway last year. He says; "The help I received was very useful and invaluable. It really has helped my business grow as I was completely naive about setting up in business in the first place."
Advisers are also developed through a programme of training, mentoring and professional accreditation. So far, 27 people have been trained as community based business advisors.
SIED was set up in 2005 with initial funding from the EU of £2.5m making the total budget to £3.8m. The project will run until 2007. SIED is led by Islington and includes Camden and Lewisham Councils.
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Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008