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East Border Region launched their IOTA Programme at Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency this week. IOTA stands for Innovation, Opportunity, Training and Advice for potential new and existing businesses.
‘There are many ways to innovate’ was the key message at the official launch. The iOTA Programme is funded through the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Cross Border Programme, managed by the SEUPB.
Attendees included cross border political and local authority representatives, business support organisations, the SEUPB and higher education colleges and universities.
The Vice-Chairman of East Border Region Ltd, Councillor Alan McDowell welcomed guests and said “The iOTA Programme is an exceptional opportunity for potential new and small to medium sized enterprises in the East Border Region to develop their innovation capacity and capability by accessing skills, expertise and knowledge”.
iOTA offers a programme of innovation support under two strands, including training, road shows, innovation mentoring and advice, workshops, clinics and master classes. Dr Conor Patterson, Chief Executive of Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency outlined the cross border expertise including academic and practitioner delivery support that is available to support both new and existing participating businesses.
Speaking at the launch, Lorraine McCourt, Director with the SEUPB, said: “This project represents a significant investment under the EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme. It will provide some much needed support to micro-enterprises and SME’s on both sides of the border with the overall aim of supporting the continued development of a more sustainable economy.”
The iOTA Programme will take the process of innovation to businesses by road shows throughout the region and will seek to enhance understanding of the process of innovation and make local businesses more aware of the benefits of innovation in their businesses.
The Programme is open to individuals, SMEs and micro enterprises in the following council areas in Northern Ireland – Ards, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Down, Newry and Mourne and North Down as well as Counties Louth and Monaghan in the south of Ireland and will be delivered by a cross border consortium led by Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency.
For further information or to participate on the iOTA Programme, please contact: Jane Magill, Newry and Mourne Enterprise Agency on Tel: 0044 (0) 2830267011 or Email: jmagill@nmea.net
