Developing new business using our Community Development Fund

Developing new business, mutual and social enterprise start-ups as well as existing co-operatives looking to expand, using our Community Development Fund as funding support and opportunities to match fund with CLLD.

A range of discussions have taken place during 2020 and are ongoing to enable delivery to come forward as part of the CLLD programme, with work continuing to seek to identify suitable match funding.

Existing business start-up support delivered by the BIC includes the Prospecting for Enterprise Initiative project, funded through the Community Led Local Development programme, and funding allocated by the Council's West Area Committee, which is designed to take the expert support of advisers from NE BIC to the west of Sunderland. By delivering workshops and one-to-one meetings in the community, the project aims to reach as many people as possible who live in the Pallion, St Anne's, Barnes, Silksworth, St Chad's and Sandhill areas who have an idea to start up a business or want to explore self-employment.

Advisers are also helping to strengthen voluntary organisations and support social entrepreneurs. North Star Counselling CIC based in Sunniside is the first business to launch after accessing the programme and now aims to reach children who are struggling with mental health issues.