BizMentors International

BizMentors International is part of a recently launched European-wide project which see’s four EU regions come together to create a transnational business mentoring solution. The initiative is a three-year project co-funded by the EU Interreg Northern Periphery and Artic Programme (NPA), with a total budget in the region of €1.3m.

Participating partners are from Ireland, Finland, Iceland, and Northern Ireland. Mentoring support is available in the following areas: Business Planning | Finance | Human Resources | Legal | Quality | Sales | Food Standards | General Business Management | IT | Marketing & PR | Research & Development | Training & Development

Poor access to business expertise and networks is a challenge for SMEs and entrepreneurs across the NPA. This is especially true for SMEs in low business density and population density areas and for under-represented groups including women, the disabled and ethnic minorities. The bizmentors model, relies on the local support of established business people (mentors) to provide free guidance to those seeking it (mentees) in a structured and low cost way. This project aims to innovate the model using an online interactive platform and shared learning to scale and expand BizMentors International in the NPA Region, making expertise accessible to all enterprises and entrepreneurs.

Joanne Laffey
Western Development Commission (Ire)
joannelaffey@wdc.ie
Tel: +353 87 1015004