Gender Equality Duty could transform business support The Gender Equality Duty has come into effect - marking the biggest change to sex equality legislation for 30 years. It calls on public authorities, including Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) , to positively promote sex equality and ensure their policies and practices address the different needs of men and women. RDAs are responsible for the delivery of publicly funded business support, where it is estimated that just 30% of clients are female. The new duty will require RDAs to review services to ensure that the promotion, timing and content of business support does not indirectly discriminate against either sex. For further details visit: http://www.eoc.org.uk/default.aspx?page=15016

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Women want more than a spa discount and a pink website High street and private banks are increasingly turning to innovative, client-centric approaches to attract female entrepreneurs according to a new report 'Targeting Women in Private Banking 2007'. However according to report author Lauren McAughtry, this often means focusing on the more frivolous side of things defined as the 'champagne and chocolate approach'. She says rather than wanting a spa discount and a pink website business women want banks to provide 'relationship managers who truly understand their needs - day to day and long term - who speak their language'. The report concludes that failing to research the segment is leading to tactics rather than a long-term approach and leaves a big potential gap in the market. For details contact Anne Bourgeois in the Datamonitor press office on + 44 207 675 7487 or abourgeois@datamonitor.com

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£9.9m initiative to support under-represented groups in enterprise The London Development Agency (LDA) has announced a £9.9 million initiative to support 18,000 businesses across London by 2009. The Business London Programme is particularly aimed at women and BAME groups who face additional hurdles in starting enterprises. The programme will be delivered by a consortium of specialist business support providers working in five London hubs, all enterprise support and training will be free of charge. For further information visit: http://www.lda.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.1883

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UK 'sleepwalking' into a two state nation David Frost, The Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce has called for the establishment of 'Enterprise Zones' after warning that the current north/south enterprise divide could lead to a two state nation. Twice as many businesses per head of population are formed in the Thames Valley compared to the Tees Valley. Frost says Enterprise Zones, of the kind established in the 80's, should be formed in which new start-up companies are exempt from business rates, employment legislation and national insurance contributions. http://www.chamberonline.co.uk/YbV-H1RoarMi4g.html

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Republic of Ireland launches National Women's Strategy The most important document to date to encourage female entrepreneurship in Ireland has been launched by the Government. The National Women's Strategy 2007 - 2016 proposes five steps to increase the number of women starting businesses in the Republic, where male entrepreneurship is three times that of female. Measures include the development of County Enterprise Boards which have had particular success in attracting women to their 'Start your own Business' courses and an increased focus on entrepreneurial activity amongst girls in schools. Click here to download the National Women's Strategy 2007 - 2016 Ireland National Women's Strategy 2007 - 2016 Ireland

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Steps on a longer journey - the Women and Work Commission report back One year on from issuing their wide-ranging report demanding action the Women and Work Commission report on progress. On Women's Enterprise the commission reports on the establishment of the Women's Enterprise Task Force (visit: www.womensenterprise.co.uk), the new 1000 strong network of female entrepreneurs, the RDA pilot programmes, the Women's Enterprise Graduate Scheme and Prowess' work on SET enterprise together with the UKRC for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Click here to download: 'Towards a Fairer Future: Implementing the Women and Work Commissions recomendations'

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Prowess member's news

Women's enterprise at the heart of the community The 'Go Ahead Appraisal' offers an effective guide to the ‘dos and don’ts’ of setting up pre-start business support programmes for women. This evaluation of the Kent-based programme emphasises the need to focus on community involvement not competition in the early stages of business development. It demonstrates how the initiative linked in with mainstream business support provision (Romney Enterprise Gateway) and the wider supplier diversity movement. It’s a good example of a programme customised for specific client needs, and which may be more difficult to replicate in the future given the proposed structure of the Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP). Click here to download the Go Ahead Appraisal.

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Street Cred's Bangladeshi women and enterprise project Street Cred has launched a new programme to engage 60 Bangladeshi women across London to raise their awareness of mainstream business support services. The project aims to identify key barriers to enterprise and support the work of Bangladeshi Women's business networks. Street Cred are looking to link up with other Prowess members who have experience of working with Bangladeshi women to share information and expertise. For details contact Isebail on 020 7729 9267 or at isebailmackinnon@qsa.org.uk

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In my prime seeks prime examples of over 50s enterprise in-my-prime is seeking case studies of women (and men) over 50 who have made radical changes to their lives, particularly though business start-up. The organisation which provides advice and support to the 50 - 70 age group receives regular case study requests and has lots of opportunities for free promotion. Contact dianne@inmyprime.co.uk to submit your story or request further information. See other case studies at: www.inmyprime.co.uk

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Invest NI promotes female entrepreneurship Invest Northern Ireland have launched a DVD and booklet celebrating the paths to business success of 12 local female entrepreneurs. Launching the new material, aimed at inspiring other women, Invest NI Deputy Chairman said "We know that women are influenced by other women and that strong role models are an important element in creating a stronger culture of entrepreneurship among women". For copies contact Joy.Knox@investni.com or visit http://www.investni.com/femaleentrepreneurs

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CDFA celebrates 5 years The Community Development Finance Association (CDFA) has celebrated its fifth anniversary with a reception at the House of Commons entitled Access to Finance - 5 years on. Over 100 delegates gathered to celebrate the success of the organisation and hear key note speeches from amongst others Stephen Timms, MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury . http://www.cdfa.org.uk/

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Events

Prowess Events (Enterprising Women programme)

Marketing Business Support to Women 15 May Bury St Edmunds. Free. Enterprising Women (East of England) Interactive marketing workshop for business support providers in the East of England. For more information call 01603 762355 or contact j.orourke@prowess.org.uk

Flagship Development Day 26 June, Chelmsford. Free, Enterprising Women (East of England). Aimed at organisations in the East of England wanting to know more about the Flagship Quality Standard for Best Practice in Women's Enterprise Development. For more information contact: j.orourke@prowess.org.uk or call 01603 762355.

The rest of this section is restricted to Prowess members.

For information on how to join Prowess visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/apply.htm

For details of events aimed at women entrepreneurs taking place in your area click on the map below, members remember you can add your events to the Prowess online clickable map quickly and easily at no cost:

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Awards

This sections is restricted to Prowess members.

For information on how to join Prowess visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/apply.htm

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New Research and Reports

This section is restricted to Prowess members.

For information on how to join Prowess visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/apply.htm

Click here for facts and figures relating to the women's enterprise sector

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Vacancies

This section is restricted to Prowess members.

For information on how to join Prowess visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/apply.htm

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New Members

New members of Prowess include:

Work House www.work-house.org

KIS Training www.kistraining.co.uk

The West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency Ltd ( WYEA) www.wyea.co.uk

London Innovation Centre www.linnoc.net

Women into the Network www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk

For information on how to join Prowess visit: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/apply.htm

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Prowess – The UK association of organisations and individuals who support women to start and grow businesses.

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