Priority 4 - Action Area 1 (AA4-1)

Stimulate Enterprise in Disadvantaged Communities & Under-Represented Groups

Funding for projects which contribute to an uplift in entrepreneurial culture and activity in deprived communities. The emphasis is on reducing worklessness and increasing economic participation through projects that are flexible, people-centred and responsive to individual needs.

AA4-1 focuses on: targeting people in disadvantaged areas; and under-represented groups in enterprise (such as women, BME communities, people with disabilities, young people, older workers, and key groups supported under the national European Social Fund – offenders, ex-offenders, asylum seekers and refugees).

Rationale

There is considerable inactive economic potential in the Northwest’s disadvantaged communities, but individuals face a number of issues which limit the nature/scale of their involvement in the economy. Significant, appropriate, and targeted projects are needed to tackle these issues.

The Northwest needs to: grow the number of social enterprises; support and improve the longer-term sustainability of social enterprises; and support diversification into commercial income streams, particularly in relation to public procurement.

Eligible Activities

There are three types of project eligible for funding under AA4-1

• Strand 1: Enterprise Stimulation in Deprived Communities 
• Strand 2: Practical Support for those People Wishing to Start New Businesses & Businesses in the Start-Up Phase 
• Strand 3: Support for Start-Up Social Enterprises

For more information on each of these strands, download the Investment Framework.

AA4-1 is currently open to new bids. To discuss your project idea please contact Hazel Catt.

Notes

AA4-1 is quite distinct from AA1-1. (AA4-1 targets enterprise primarily as a route out of worklessness. AA1-1 targets businesses with growth potential.)