WALES ECONOMIC GROWTH FUND

The Welsh Government has opened the second 2013 phase of its Wales Economic Growth Fund – a £30 million economic stimulus designed to help private and social enterprises through the prevailing economic downturn.

The initiative is a short-term, fast-track fund for Welsh businesses and social enterprises, providing immediate access to non-repayable capital funding for investments that will create and retain employment opportunities, growth and wealth.

Funding allocations for 2013 are delivered two phases. Phase 1, which has now completed, provided grants of between £50,000 and £100,000 for smaller enterprises. The current phase, Phase 2, is providing grants of £100,000 and over for those enterprises requiring larger investments.

Eligible expenditure can include new investment in capital assets (machinery, computer equipment, buildings etc). Intellectual property bought from a third party, professional fees and other one off costs related to the investment may also be eligible. Additionally, revenue costs associated with the capital investment can be funded.

Wales-based organisations operating within the private and non-profit social enterprise sectors that have projects planned to improve productivity and create and maintain jobs may be eligible for support.

Expressions of Interest for Phase Two are now being invited with a deadline for submissions of 16 December 2013.

(This report was the subject of a GRANTfinder Newsflash.)

http://business.wales.gov.uk/

PAVO Tackling Poverty Conference Report availalbe

The Annual Conference of Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations was held on Tuesday November 5th 2013 in Llanelwedd.

Its purpose was to highlight the issue of increasing poverty in Wales’ most rural county and the ways in which third sector organisations are helping to support the growing number of individuals and households who find it difficult and sometimes impossible, to make ends meet.

The conference included two addresses given by Professor David Egan, chair of the Welsh Government’s advisory panel on tackling poverty and County Councillor Melanie Davies, Powys County Council’s tackling poverty champion.

The PAVO Annual Conference Report, Tackling Poverty in Powys. A Third Sector Perspective can be viewed here.

MID WALES SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ALLIANCE

The quarterly meeting of the Mid Wales Social Enterprise Alliance was interesting yesterday.  The need to feed into the One Powys Plan consultation was identified as a priority, and we will be posting on here how you can contribute, so keep coming back to check what's happening.  We are also keen to make a response as an Alliance, so if you want to get involved, please do get in touch.

The Alliance exists to:

1. Provide a voice / lobbying function
2. Demonstrate the worth of Social Enterprise in Powys
3. Provide networking, information sharing / exchange
4. Promote trading opportunities for and between social enterprises 
5. Provide Signposting
6. Promote and support business sustainability

Meetings are held quarterly around the County.  We are very keen to expand the Alliance so if you are interested in attending, please contact Claire Sterry at PAVO:  claire.sterry@pavo.org.uk

Funding Strategy Training postponed

The Preparing a Sustainable Fundraising Strategy scheduled for 28 November 2013 has been postponed.

We are looking to re-schedule, and the date will be advertised, as soon as it is available. 

Business Wales Tendering - Collaborative Working for SMEs

Business Wales Tendering - Collaborative Working for SMEs
Tuesday 3rd December 2013 - 10.30am - 2.30pm
Plas Dolerw, Milford Road, Newtown, Powys SY16 2EH

This collaborative working event will be jointly facilitated by the Wales Co-operative Centre and the Business Wales tendering advice team.

The event will focus on the necessary requirements and challenges of bidding for work collaboratively, and gaining an appreciation of how to overcome these challenges effectively.

If you wish to attend the event you can register by following the link below:

http://business.wales.gov.uk/business-wales-events?eventid=CMP-21453-B5Z20R

Please note booking a place is essential, as places are limited.

The Wales Co-operative Centre provides advice to businesses on suitable business models, organisational and legal structures; advice and support with governance issues; business and financial planning advice and support; finding finance and helping to access grant funding where appropriate; support with HR issues; training and mentoring; and support with developing important equalities strategies and environmental management systems.

Business Wales is the Welsh Government’s business support mechanism.  It is a dedicated service that provides businesses, social enterprises and charities with information, guidance and support directly, and from the private, public and third sector.  The service can be accessed by phone, online and through a network of eleven one stop shops located around Wales. 

For more information visit the website or contact the Welsh Government helpdesk on 03000 6 03000

FUNDING STRATEGY TRAINING

Preparing a Sustainable Fundraising Strategy

28 November 2013 (full day) 

By the end of the course, participants will:

• · understand what a sustainable funding strategy is and why they need one
• · learn how to explore and extend their fundraising options
• · be able to construct a realistic and sustainable fundraising strategy

To book click here

Skype session 21-11-2013

Would you like to attend one of our outreach sessions, but find it hard to attend? PAVO is introducing regular Skype sessions, where you can take the opportunity to chat with a Development Officer about your queries.

The first session will take place on: 21 November 2013 - 11.00am - 2.00pm 

The Skype name to contact us upon is: pavo.development 

MID WALES SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ALLIANCE

The Next meeting of the Mid Wales Social Enterprise Alliance will take place on :

• Monday 25th November 2013
• 10.30am
• PAVO Offices, Ddole Enterprise Park 

If you wish to attend, please contact Claire Sterry at claire.sterry@pavo.org.uk

Communities 2.0 support for Social Enterprise

Are your existing computers outdated?
Could ICT investment help you to be more efficient?
We may be able to help with finance.

Communities 2.0 is a Welsh Government programme which helps people and small enterprises make the most of ICT and the internet. We’re here to help social enterprises in Wales benefit from digital technology. Much of our funding for this work has come from the European Regional Development Fund. The Wales Co-operative Centre is the lead delivery partner on Communities 2.0.

You will need to be:

A registered social enterprise
With a business plan
Match funding for the investment would be an advantage
What happens next?

You contact us for an initial discussion
We carry out an ICT review to determine your needs
If you are eligible, we go through a simple application process to approve funding
We provide you with follow-up support as required
For further information please reply to this email.

http://www.communities2point0.org.uk/ict-for-enterprises-groups-and-organisations