Castlereagh Borough Council Newsletter Edition Jan-Mar 2010

The grants function within Castlereagh Borough Council is to identify economic development opportunities and make funding submissions for tangible social and economic outputs. Staff are available to provide advice and information on grants, programmes and funds to local organisations.

The role of the grants section is to identify sources of funding and assist and co-ordinate local applications to funding bodies.

Contact the grants section for further information on gemmaquigley@castlereagh.gov.uk. You can also post your comments and let us know of anything you think would be beneficial for the blog to display.

The following funding opportunities exist :

Sport Relief
Who can apply?
Locally based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage
What will they fund?
Funding will support work where there is clear evidence of a sustained beneficial impact on people’s lives in the area.
Level of funding:
Maximum is £1,000. 100% funding.
Close Date:
4.00 pm on Friday 5th March 2010
Further information and application forms visit:
http://www.communityfoundationni.org/



BIG Lottery Awards for All
Who can apply?
All voluntary, community and statutory organisations.
What will they fund?
Funding aims to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need.
Level of funding:
Maximum £10,000. 100% funding.
Open/Close Date:
Open all year round.
Further information can be found on the website:
www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/northernireland



BIG Lottery Big Deal
Who can apply?
Groups or individuals are eligible.
What will they fund?
Funding aims to encourage young people to become more involved in activities that enhance their development.
Level of funding:
Maximum is £2,500. 100% funding.
Close Date:
Open all year round.
Further information and application forms visit:
http://www.thebigdealni.com/

Community Arts Small Grants
Who can apply?
Community groups
What will they fund?
Community arts projects that involve ethnic minority groups with the aim of integrating communities.
Level of funding:
Maximum £1,000 100% funding
Open/Close Date:
Applications on a rolling basis
Contact details/further information
http://www.communityfoundationni.org/


The Turkington Fund
Who can apply?
Locally-based self-help groups that
are working in disadvantaged areas
What will they fund?
Locally based community projects that are run by, and for, older people.
Level of funding:
Maximum £3,000 100%funded
Close Date:
23rd Feb and 11th May
Contact details/further information
http://www.communityfoundation.org/

Standard Grant Programme
Who can apply?
Any organisation who is registered as a charity and Constituted groups with charitable purpose.
What will they fund?
A wide range of community and social activities and education and training for disadvantaged people.
Level of funding:
Up to £5,000 100% funded
Close Date:
9th if April 2010
Contact details/further information
http://www.lloydstsbfoundationni.org/

Skills for the Future
Who can apply?
Organisations which can deliver training opportunities in heritage and partnership to community, voluntary organisations and professional bodies.
What will they fund?
Traditional conservation training and also the skills needed to engage people with heritage. This can include the skills to deliver education, community participation or volunteer programmes, or to use new media and technology to open up heritage.
Level of funding: Up to £1mil
Close Date: 19 March 2010
For further information :
http://www.hlf.org.uk/

Ulsterbank Sir George Quigley Award
Who can apply?
Community and voluntary sector
What will they fund?
Examples of work that can be considered for the Award are: The development of community business The encouragement of innovative approaches to volunteering New community and voluntary based approaches to the social economy New ideas that offer the community and voluntary sector strategies for organisational sustainability
Level of Award : €10,000 (or the Stg equivalent)
Close Date: 19th March 2010
Contact details/further information
www.ulsterbank.com/georgequigleyaward

Your Heritage
Who can apply?
Open to all
What will they fund?
We welcome applications that help people to learn about, look after and celebrate heritage in a fun and enjoyable way. Projects that relate to the local, regional or national heritage of the UK.
Level of funding:
£3000 to £50,000
Open/Close Date:
Rolling programme
Contact details/further information
http://www.hlf.org.uk/

Young Roots
Who can apply?
Community and Volunteer groups aimed at young people aged 13-25
What will they fund?
The interest and ideas of young people, who are supported by youth and heritage organisations to develop skills, build confidence, and connect with their local communities.
Level of funding: £3000 to 25,000
Open/Close Date: Rolling Programme
Contact details/further information
http://www.hlf.org.uk/

The David Ervine Foundation
Who can apply?
Constituted Groups
What will they fund?
Using training and personal development children and young people from disadvantaged communities can reach their full potential. Projects should include cross-cultural relationship building.
Level of funding:
Up to £1,000 100% funded
Close Date:
Friday 26th February 2010
Contact details/further information
http://www.communityfoundationni.org/

Success through Succession (STS)
Who can apply?
All SME’s
What will they fund?
The project aims to address and overcome the challenges of succession by providing changes in organisational structure, people and processes and promote a culture of organisational change and innovation throughout all levels of the business.
Level of funding: 100% funded
Open/Close Date: New project just started by University of Ulster.
Contact details/further information
sts@ulster.ac.uk


Innovation in Competitive Enterprises (ICE)
Who can apply?
All SMEs
What will they fund?
Promoting regional economic growth and development through the establishment of a Tri Regional Innovation Network aimed at building the innovation capacity and capability of existing SMEs in Northern Ireland, the six southern Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland.
Level of funding: 100% funded
Close Date: New project just started by University of Ulster.
Contact details/further information: ice@ulster.ac.uk

Advice For Debt NI
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has launched ‘advice4debtNI’, the new telephone based debt advice service for Northern Ireland.

Anyone in Northern Ireland can call 0800 917 4607 and receive free, confidential and unbiased debt advice, specific to their needs. advice4debtNI is a new front in the battle to address consumer debt.

The information detailed within this funding newsletter was correct at time of print (16/01/10).


Castlereagh Borough Council is not responsible for the funders detailed in the newsletter.
If you require any further advice or help from your local Council please contact us on T:02890 494500.

Breakfast Workshop On Exporting

Monday 1st March (8.15AM - 11.00AM)

Castlereagh Borough Council, Civic & Administrative Offices, Bradford Court, Upper Galwally.

Why not come along have some breakfast and learn how developing an effective export market can provide essential additional growth for your business.

Come along to our export breakfast workshop and learn form our panel of experts as they discuss the merits of exporting. Topics for discussion will range from how to start exporting, applying for the prestigious Queens Award for Export to practical advice from the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Invest NI. Programme mix - 2-3 hour morning workshop.

The workshop will also be an ideal time to catch up with elected members of the Council who are keen to find out more about how businesses are coping in the current economic climate and what assistance they can offer.
What’s the cost? – The programme is funded by Castlereagh Borough Council and the European Competitiveness Fund, so all your business has to do is register so we know how many are coming along for breakfast.

So what will the workshop format be? –

• Introduction and overview of current reasons to export and the range of opportunities that local businesses can go after - Lara Goodall from Full Circle Consulting. Lara has extensive experience of dealing with SME's and has managed a number of programmes on behalf of local Councils including the Exporting to the Accession States, Exporting to New Europe and the Benelux Programmes, and the Small Firms Development Programme.

• Why are business awards important when winning export sales – Julie Taylor from Integrity NI. Over the last few years Julie has worked with local SMe's completing applications for several business awards culminating with the successful application for Armstrong Medical who were awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise in International Trade in June 2009.

• How the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce can help your business export - Oonagh O'Reilly (Business Development Director). The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce has vast experience in assisting local business export including their Export Documentation service.

• How Invest NI can help you achieve your goals for exporting, including information on the new Export Skills and Knowledge Workshops.

• Final overview of current exporting opportunities – Lara Goodall from Full Circle Consulting.

• Q&A session and the chance to have informal discussions with elected members of Castlereagh Borough Council.

How do I apply? – If you’re interested in joining us contact:-

Roger Warnock, Investment & Enterprise Development Officer on 028-9049 4500 or by email growbusiness@castlereagh.gov.uk  . Places are limited so please let us know soon!

10 smart ways to grow your business in a lean year

Analysts are predicting that the UK economy will ease its way out of recession during 2010, so the New Year is an ideal time to start preparing for the upturn. Follow these steps to develop your business this year:

1. Review your business plan. Constant assessment of your approach can help you make the most of new market opportunities. Ask yourself where you want to be in three- to five-years' time and how you can get there. Communicate your strategy to staff - a Government survey found that only a quarter of employees understand their firm's goals for 2010.

2. Refresh your offer. Make sure your products and services are still fit for your market. Look at your industry and ask what has changed during the downturn. Think about expanding your offer to meet fresh or complementary needs and to keep ahead of your competitors. Contact the Business Information Service to obtain market research on your industry or to request a press or article search on your competitors.

3. Maintain your cashflow. Solid finances underpin healthy growth. Update cashflow forecasts and speak to your bank early if you need funds. Accessing bank finance may not be as hard as you expect, as the Government recently extended the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme. Receive free and independent advice on raising finance by contacting the Directors' Advisory Service.

4. Earn more from existing sales. Focus on selling more to existing high-value clients before investing in finding new customers it is more cost-effective. Find out what related products or services your customers need; if you can't provide them, refer clients to other suppliers.

5. Target new customers. Relying on existing customers or one or two big clients is risky, so expand your customer base. Set monthly new sales targets and track progress by logging all new sales calls and client meetings and reward staff for hitting targets. Keep abreast of contracts in your sector ? for public sector contracts, check the Supply2.gov.uk website. Obtain targeted direct marketing lists in UK and Europe through MarketingFile.com

6. Open up new channels. Most businesses focus on just one or two sales channels but multiplying your routes to market could reap huge rewards. Sell online if you can, go to trade fairs if appropriate and consider who else could sell your products ? existing clients, suppliers, distributors or even businesses with a complementary offer. Contact the Directors' Advisory Service for specialist guidance on your marketing and sales strategy.

7. Be lean and efficient. A cost-conscious mindset will boost your bottom line in the upturn and release resources to plough into growth. Carry out a thorough audit of your overheads; monitor utility bills, shed underperforming suppliers, drop unprofitable product lines and reduce unnecessary staff costs.


8. Promote your business online. Social media marketing will very likely become mainstream in the small business sector in 2010. When investing time and money in the likes of Twitter or LinkedIn, however, follow a strategy. There is no "one-size fits all" approach, so make sure what you are doing works ? for example, by using web analytics. Previous hot topic - Website analysis to meet customer needs.

9. Reinvigorate your outlook - and build new relationships. Even the most committed business owner can become jaded, so make an effort to build new connections with people who can freshen up your thinking or help your business grow. Think about mentors, consultants, new recruits and businesses to form partnerships with. Use on- and offline networks to meet them. IoD Online Networking Group.

10. Tune into new trends. As the economy picks up, keep your ear to the ground to see what trends you can exploit in your market. Speak to your customers to see how their needs are changing, as well as reading industry news and networking to stay informed.

Article taken from http://www.iod.com/