News

Chancellor calls for radical 'deproliferation' of business support

Gender Equality Duty - Code of Practice Consultation

EEDA launches Directory of Business Support for Women

€52 million for new European Gender Institute

Women entrepreneurs in India and Bangladesh join forces

Economic boost for UK's most deprived areas

New think-tank to promote women in business

The future of European funding - have your say

Prowess members news

Three new Women's Enterprise programmes for N.Ireland

Mentoring Women in Business

Innovation in the North West

New Scottish resource centre for women in SET opened

Enfield's entrepreneurial spirit

'One Vision, One Voice'

Call for women trading in Saudi Arabia or China

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News

Chancellor calls for radical 'deproliferation' of business support Gordon Brown has pledged to cut the number of business support services from 3,000 now, to no more than 100 by 2010. In his Budget speech Brown stated that the proliferation of business support confuses potential clients. The move marks a considerable shake-up of the business support sector. Prowess is working with relevant Government departments to ensure that all business support services are women-friendly and that tailored and targeted services continue to be avaialble.

The Budget also confirmed that five Regional Development Agencies will be establishing women's enterprise units to pilot different approaches to supporting women starting and growing businesses. A package of support for women returners and an increased focus on access to finance for businesses was also announced. Members can download a summary of the budget at: http://www.prowess.org.uk/members/members.htm The full budget report can be downloaded at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/

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Gender Equality Duty - Code of Practice Consultation The Gender Equality Duty, due to come in to effect in April 2007, will place the onus on public bodies to demonstrate the fair treatment of women and men in the delivery of policy services. The consulation on the Code of Practice is open until May 15, for details visit: http://www.eoc.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=15016. Meanwhile leading supporters of the Equal Opportunities Commission have written to the Prime Minister to demand an explanation as to why other equality bodies, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission, have each been given several million pounds to implement similar duties, while the EOC has only been allocated £500,000.

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EEDA launches Directory of Business Support for Women The East of England Development Agency has become the third RDA to launch a Directory of Business Suport for Women. The guide will enable women to identify local business support services which are most appropriate for them. In launching the Directory David Marlow, Chief Executive of EEDA said; "As a region we have recognised the importance of supporting more women to set up and grow thier own businesses, EEDA is working to transform support for women". The Directory includes case studies of business owners from the region and pages of top-tips designed to cover all stages of business growth. Copies of the directory can be downloaded at: http://www.prowess.org.uk/publications.htm and hard copies requested from katemcfarlane@eeda.org.uk

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€52 million for new European Gender Institute The EU Commission is proposing the establishment of a European Institute for Gender Equality to exchange good practice and promote gender mainstreaming. The proposal needs approval from the Council and the European Parliament and then the Institute is expected to be launched in 2007. The proposal is included in the recently published 'Roadmap for equality between men and women 2006 - 2010'. The promotion of female entrepreneurship is specified as a key action within the document. It also inlcudes plans to review all existing EU gender equality law. For further information visit: http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/cha/c10938.htm

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Women entrepreneurs in India and Bangladesh join forces Women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh and India have agreed on extending professional cooperation among each other to broaden the market of their products through utilising experiences and trade facilities. Despite political differences between the two countries the The Federation of Indian Women Entrepreners (FIWE) and the Women Entrepreneurs Association, Bangladesh have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop expertise through sharing knowledge and transfering technological know-how. The two organisations are also discussing trade barriers, export possibilities and product diversification. For more information visit: http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=3/26/2006&section_id=7&newsid=19903&spcl=no

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Economic boost for UK's most deprived areas £126 million has been awarded to 15 local authorities under the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative. LEGI aims to increase entrepreneurial activity and reduce the failure rate of local businesses. All eligible local authorities who were not succesful in this first round will be invited to re-submit this summer. For details of the 15 projects which have been awarded funding visit: http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/page.asp?id=1612

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New think-tank to promote women in business A new Centre for Women in Business is to be established at the London Business School, funded over five years by the Investment bank Lehman Brothers. The think-tank will begin by carrying a benchmarking exercise of women in business across Europe. It will go on to examine how higher and further education in the UK could be improved to offer better choices and opportunities for training. The centre will also offer support to women at every level, from the time they apply to business school through to their careers as team members, entrepreneurs, managers and senior executives.  http://www.london.edu/news.html

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The future of European funding - have your say! The Dti has launched a consultation on the distribution of the €9.4 billion of EU Structual and Cohesion funds the UK will receive between 2007 - 2013. The consultation document refers to increasing the levels of female entrepreneurship as a key challenge (section 31.P10). The consultation period runs until 22 May. Prowess will shortly invite members to feed into the overall Prowess response. If you or your organisation would like to respond independently the consultation document can be downloaded at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/europe/structural.html

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New Research

This section is restricted to Prowess members. For details of membership click here

Vacancies

Director of Policy and Advocacy, Prowess, C £38K + benefits (+ 10% London Weighting if applicable) To lead Prowess’ policy & advocacy programme. To be Norwich or London based. Secondments will be considered. Closing date: 19 April. For further details vist: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/vacancies.htm

Development Manager Prowess, Norwich £32K + benefits To develop and implement the Prowess ‘Quality’ objective to set, raise and maintain standards in women friendly business support. Secondments will be considered. Closing date: 19 April. For further details vist: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/vacancies.htm

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Board Members for the English Regional Development Agencies 2 days per month, £8,153 p.a There are 13 Board Vacancies across seven of the RDAs. Closing date 27 April. Appointments due to start 14 December 2006. For further details visit www.nrgplc.com/rda or call 0191 239 4007 or email rda@nrgplc.com

Project Officer  (Plan for your Retirement Project) WEETU, Norwich, £20, 973 - £23,023 p.a. Full time Project Officer sought to set up an exciting new venture at the Women's Employment, Enterprise and Training Unit (WEETU). Closing date 13 April. For an application pack call 01603 762355 or email info@weetu.org.uk or visit www.weetu.org

Campaigner, Community Links, London £23,392 - £25,363 pro rata, inc.OLW Looking for an enthusiastic person with proven campaigning and communication skills and experience to co-ordinate campaigning programme on policy and practice issues arising from Community Links research work. Closing date 19 April. For an application pack visit: http://www.community-links.org/aboutus/jobs_page53.aspx

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