11 March 2010

Social Economy group ‘Empowers’ NI companies to enter Europe

A Northern Ireland Social Economy company is using its experience in Europe to assist other organisations to boldly go where they haven’t gone before.

Empower, a transnational company formed by Gingerbread Northern Ireland, is offering expert technical support to companies that have no experience of operating in Europe.

Empower – which is a social enterprise supporting Gingerbread NI - has built up a valuable bank of skills, forging partnerships with organisations seeking to improve opportunities and services for lone parents in countries such as Spain, Poland, Italy, Germany and Turkey.

Empower Managing Director Anne Sweeney said this practical experience would help other voluntary sector organisations hoping to extend their services into Europe.

“Many organisations would welcome the opportunity to develop partnerships with similar groups in other countries to share best practice and develop joint projects. We can provide advice and support to make that happen,” she said.

“Our aim is to create equality of opportunity for all disadvantaged groups in Europe. We have experience in developing partnerships, projects and networks throughout the continent and would be happy to pass this knowledge on to other voluntary organisations.”

Maurice Maxwell, Head of the EC Office in Northern Ireland, praised Empower NI's work in promoting links between local companies and organisations throughout Europe.

"Empower NI has shown how developing links in Europe can make a difference to people's lives. By looking beyond our borders and working with European partners wherever possible , another dimension has been shown to bear fruit."

Empower has worked on the European Social Fund for 15 years, EQUAL, and has experience of various lifelong learning programmes - Grundtvig and Leonardo. They also have experience of formal European networking through CONECT and have partners in 14 European countries.

Empower’s services include:
• Identifying European funding sources
• Developing proposals for funding applications
• Finding partners
• Budgeting for projects
• Completing funding applications
• Project management and administration
• Project evaluation
• Managing transnational projects


For further information, contact the team at Empower on 02890 231 417 or go to www.empower.com.