Presentation Cross Border Cooperation Best Practice and Future

Presentation: Cross Border Co-operation Best Practice and Future Opportunities from across the European Union by Sharon Daly, ASPIRE Programme Co-ordinator 13 th June 2013

Project partners

Overview • The background to ASPIRE • ASPIRE as an economic solution • Unique features of ASPIRE • ASPIRE Funding (INTERREG IVA) • Key objectives for ASPIRE • Benefits of ASPIRE • Progress to date and next steps

Background • 26, 500 businesses in the EBR area • 89% micro businesses • Micro businesses struggling to achieve growth, sales and profit • 178, 000 graduates aged 20 - 29 • 20, 000 (11. 2%) unemployed and rising • Identified need for support

ASPIRE is a unique cross border economic development programme, designed to tackle some of the particular problems associated with the current economic downturn, primarily: • Increasing pressure on small businesses to innovate, survive and remain competitive • Increasing levels of graduate unemployment

ASPIRE is unique • Designed for micro businesses not engaged in mainstream programmes • Supports both technical and commercial business projects • Investment in owner/manager training • Development of a business plan for sustainable growth • Supports and grows the bottom line • Creates employment for graduates • Cross border delivery

Funding available Eligible costs £ Sterling per graduate ASPIRE Graduate Salary Employer NI Contribution Total £ Total cost Company contribution ASPIRE support (INTERREG IVA) 17, 500 3, 600 13, 900 1, 575 19, 075 3, 600 £ 15, 475

Funding available Eligible costs €Euro per graduate ASPIRE Graduate Salary PSRI Total € Total cost Company contribution ASPIRE support (INTERREG IVA) 20, 750 4, 200 16, 550 2, 230 22, 980 4, 200 € 18, 780

Performance targets Business support Assist 45 businesses within East Border Region to employ a graduate for 12 months (70% from NI and 30% from ROI) Turnover 30% increase in turnover for businesses Cross Border Trade 33% of businesses to increase cross border trade by 5% Graduate jobs 50% of graduates offered full time jobs Additional Jobs 45 additional jobs to be created e. g. admin/production

Programme Delivery Stage 1 Business Recruitment Jan – Feb 2013 Stage 2 Identify the business need for a graduate and define the associated project and job role – March – May 2013 Stage 3 Recruit, select and appoint the graduate June – Sept 2013 Stage 4 Mentor, monitor and measure project for 12 months against financial and performance targets Ongoing

Benefits to Businesses • Support to businesses to draw up an effective business development plan • Support to businesses throughout the graduate recruitment and selection process • Provides businesses with affordable graduate skills for 12 months – 80% of salary funded by ASPIRE • On-going advice and support from ASPIRE mentor • Experience and training in project management • Cross border networking opportunities

Benefits to Graduates • Real, identifiable employment opportunities within the East Border Region – 45 posts available • Opportunities for sustained employment and/or career progression • On-going advice and support from ASPIRE mentor • Experience and training in project management/ Committee management/Presentation skills • Cross border networking opportunities

• • • Progress to Date Letter of Offer Issued April 2012 Managing Agent appointed - Dec 2012 Programme launched - Jan 2013 Information sessions - Jan/Feb 2013 181 expressions of interest - Feb 2013 139 businesses eligible to apply to ASPIRE 90 businesses attended ASPIRE Master Classes 56 applications received by closing date 45 Projects approved 45 Jobs advertised on 7 th June 2013

Next Steps • 45 graduate posts advertised on a cross border basis • 45 graduates appointed and in post by October 2013 – October 2014

Thank yo www. aspireprogramme. com