Aspire Micro Finance
54 York Street
Belfast
BT15 1AS
Tel: 028 9024 6245
Fax: 028 9024 6255
E-mail: mail@aspire-loans.com
Web: www.aspire-loans.com

Aspire Micro Loans
Aspire Micro Finance is a not for profit, local, community based loans company. Aspire make loans to the self-employed and small business owners in Belfast , Derry , Lisburn, Newtownards, Bangor , Strabane and Coleraine. Aspire have local account managers working in all these areas, who go to the business person at a convenient time to explain everything. First loans can go up to £5,000 over 9 months, repeat loans can go up to £15,000 over 18 months for customers with a good repayment record. APR 19.5% with reducing interest rates for repeat customers. Aspire only operate in Northern Ireland . Call 028 9024 6245 to arrange for a chat with your local account manager.

Contact: Michelle/ Nicholas

NESTA
Fishmongers' Chambers
110 Upper Thames Street
London
EC4R 3TJ
Tel: 020 7645 9500
E-mail: nesta@nesta.org.uk
Web: www.nesta.org.uk

NESTA
NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) investing in innovators and working to improve the climate for creativity in the UK.

Established in 1998 and set up with an endowment from the National Lottery (£200 million, raised in 2003 to £250 million), NESTA invests the interest to support UK innovation. Since May 2000, when the programmes first opened, NESTA has spent over £58m on programmes supporting 563 awards (figures to March 2004).

Contact: Lucie Osborn

Centre for Competitiveness
The Innovation Centre
Northern Ireland Science Park
Queen's Road
Belfast
BT9 3DT
Tel: 028 9073 7950
Fax: 028 9073 7950
E-mail: compete@cforc.org
Web: www.cforc.org

Centre for Competitiveness
The Centre for Competitiveness aims to actively support the development of an internationally competitive economy through Innovation, Productivity and Quality Excellence. The Centre focuses on assessing and developing the capability of companies to achieve business excellence and best practise. The Centre also provides members with a portfolio of services including: networking events, library; recognition schemes for SMEs; and benchmarking studies.

Contact: Derek Johnston

Co-operation Ireland
2nd Floor
Glendinning House
6 Murray Street
Belfast
BT1 6DN
Tel: 028 9032 1462
E-mail: info@cooperationireland.org Web: www.cooperationireland.org

Co-operation Ireland
Co-operation Ireland is a charity whose aim is to promote positive relationships between the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Co-operation Ireland is able to support a vast number of organisations through its role as an Intermediary Funding Body for The European Union Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and as an Implementing agent for the INTERREG IIIA Programme.

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Disability Action
Portside Business Park
189 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
Tel: 028 9029 7880
Fax: 028 9029 7881
Text Phone: 028 9029 7882
E-mail: hq@disabilityaction.org
Web: www.disabilityaction.org

Disability Action
Disability Action works to ensure that people with disabilities attain their full rights as citizens. To achieve its aims Disability Action:

• Campaigns for appropriate legislation and the provision of benefits and services to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
• Works to change negative attitudes towards disabled people in society, and to confront discrimination in all spheres of life.
• Offers a range of model services to enable disabled people to make informed choices about issues, which affect their lives.

Contact: Ann-Marie O'Kane

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNIT
UNIT
Lisburn City Council
Island Civic Centre
The Island
Lisburn
BT27 4RL
Tel: 028 9250 9484
E-mail: hazel.king@lisburn.gov.uk
Web: www.lisburncity.gov.uk

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNIT

As part of the Council’s economic development remit the Unit has initiated and financed a range of programmes designed to assist small and medium sized enterprises, many of which promote innovation and the use of Information Technology. This includes a new Innovation Networks Programme, which aims to place innovation and research at the core of local business development by helping companies to identify appropriate new technologies, new processes, new systems or products which will add value, assist business growth and improve overall business competitiveness. More information about the programme can be found at www.lisburninnovationnetworks.com.

Along with the Innovation Networks Programme, the Economic Development Unit offers a comprehensive list of Business Support Programmes. More information on these programmes can be found at http://www.lisburncity.gov.uk/investment-and-business/lisburn-city-councils-economic-development-unit/current-business-programmes/

The Economic Development office is happy to offer advice and information to any local companies.

Contact: Hazel King

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EQUALITY COMMISSION
Equality House
7-9 Shaftesbury Square
Belfast
BT2 7DP
Tel: 028 9050 0600
Text phone: 028 9050 0589
Fax: 028 9024 8687
E-mail: information@equalityni.org
Web: www.equalityni.org

Equality Commission
The Equality Commission's duties include :

• working towards the elimination of discrimination, under anti-discrimination laws, which cover sex discrimination and equal pay, racial discrimination, disability discrimination and fair employment and treatment (between people of different religious belief or political opinion).
• promoting equality of opportunity in these areas
• overseeing the implementation of the statutory duties on public bodies: to promote equality of opportunity across the areas of religious belief, political opinion, race, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, disability, and having or not having dependants; to promote good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Windsor House
9-15 Bedford Street
Belfast
BT2 7EG
Tel: 028 9024 0708
Fax: 028 9024 8241
Web: www.cec.org.uk/ni

European Commission
The Commission can provide free literature giving advice on EC grants, policies, initiatives and programmes. Also can organise seminars to give information on EU issues and policy.

Contact: Jim Dougal

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FLEX LANGUAGE SERVICES
University of Ulster
Shore Road
Newtownabbey
Co Antrim
BT37 0QB
Tel: 028 9036 6546
Fax: 028 9036 6316
E-mail: r.mccoullough@ulst.ac.uk
Web:www.ulst.ac.uk/flex

FLEX – Foreign Languages for Export
Flex offers aspiring businesses an expert service in all European and most world languages:

• Translating of general business and technical documents, from birth certificates to manuals
• Interpreting meetings, interviews, company visits or international conferences
• Language courses which are tailored to each client’s particular requirements

Contact: Regine McCullough

GLENWOOD BUSINESS CENTRE
Springbank Industrial Estate
Poleglass
Belfast
BT17 0QL
Tel: 028 9061 0311
Email: office@glenwoodbc.com
Web: www.glenwoodbc.com

Glenwood Business Centre
Glenwood Business Centre is committed to the promotion of job creation and economic development through practical support for small businesses. It provides a comprehensive portfolio of support services to small businesses including:
• Provision of workspace, secretarial services and conference/training facilities
• Financial assistance through the Enterprise Loan Fund
• Professional business advice and counselling
• Business consultancy preparing strategic business plans, marketing strategies, project appraisals, preparing funding applications
• Business skills training, both off-the-shelf and tailor made options for clients who come from the ranks of public, private, community and voluntary sectors
• Project development on behalf of the agency, local community groups and clients
• Room, conference facilities available to hire.

Contact: Eamon Foster

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INTERNATIONAL FUND
FOR IRELAND
PO Box 2000
Belfast
BT4 2QY
Tel: 028 9076 8832
Fax: 028 9076 3313

PO Box 2000
Dublin 2
Tel: 00353 1 478 0655
Fax: 00353 1 475 1351
Web: www.international fundforireland.com

International Fund for Ireland
The Fund provides support through a number of distinctive Programmes, which target its objectives of stimulating economic and social advance and encouraging contact dialogue and reconciliation.

Its Programmes are divided into three groupings:

• Regeneration of Deprived Areas , including the Fund's development programmes which are focused on urban and rural disadvantaged areas.
• Community Capacity Building , including the Wider Horizons, Community Bridges and Community Leadership Programmes, Interact and Key Programmes.
• Economic Development , including the Fund's two venture capital companies, its Flagship projects and Business Enterprise, Technology, Tourism and Urban Development Programmes.

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InterTradeIreland
Thr Old Gasworks Business Park
Kilmorey Street
Newry
Co Down
BT34 2DE
Tel: 028 3083 4114
Fax: 028 3083 4155
E-mail: suzanne.doran@intertradeireland.com Web: www.intertradeireland.com

InterTradeIreland
The organisation was established in 1999 as one of six new cross-border bodies set up under the auspices of the Belfast Agreement. As such we differ from other development agencies on the island in that we operate on both sides of the border.

InterTradeIreland's Mission , is to enhance the global competitiveness of the all-island economy to the mutual benefit of Ireland and Northern Ireland through measures such as the creation of knowledge-intensive all-island trade and business development networks and the implementation of all-island trade and business development programmes. By acting as a facilitator to build individual companies' capacity, InterTradeIreland can help ensure that local enterprises maximise the benefits of operating right across the island. In turn, it is our conviction that a more competitive environment on the island will equip businesses to make an impact on the global market.

nterTradeIreland's key strategic objective for the period 2005-2007 is to increase the number, effectiveness and value of all-island trade and business development networks.

Contact: Suzanne Doran

LABOUR RELATIONS AGENCY
2-8 Gordon Street
Belfast
BT1 2LG
Tel: 028 9032 1442
E-mail: info@lra.org.uk
Web: www.lra.org.uk

Labour Relations Agency
The Agency provides a confidential and impartial conciliation, arbitration and advisory service to anyone requiring assistance with alleged infringement of employment rights or queries concerning industrial relations and employment matters.

Contact: Gerry O'Neill

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LISBURN ENTERPRISE
ORGANISATION
Enterprise Crescent
Ballinderry Road
Lisburn
BT28 2BP
Tel: 028 9266 1160
E-mail: aisling@lisburn-enterprise.co.uk
Web: www.lisburn-enterprise.co.uk

Lisburn Enterprise Organisation
Lisburn Enterprise Organisation is the primary small business agency within the City of Lisburn . The core role of the company is to promote, encourage, and assist small business development in the Greater Lisburn area.

The Enterprise Centre is the leading provider of innovative and practical business start-up and growth programmes that have a direct impact on the local economy.

Lisburn Enterprise Organisation offers a wide range of advice and assistance to pre-start, start-up and established businesses. This includes: business training; business advisory services; business administration services; conference and meeting facilities; business information services; consultancy services; and access to finance.

Contact: Aisling Owens

Northern Ireland Textiles & Apparel Association Ltd
Riverside Factory
Victoria Street
Lurgan
Tel: : 028 3831 1399
E-mail: info@nita.co.uk
Web: www.nita.co.uk

NITA
The Northern Ireland Textiles & Apparel Association (NITA) is the representative body of the textiles and clothing industry in Northern Ireland . The sector employs in the region of 17,500 people and contributes over £900m to the economy - this in itself represents around 15% of all manufacturing turnover in Northern Ireland .

NITA members are drawn from across the sector from fibres and yarns to fabrics, clothing and other textile products.

The organisation acts as the main vehicle for communication both within the sector and to external bodies such as government agencies, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the media, ensuring that the views of the industry are fairly represented.

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NICENT CENTRE MANAGER
Regional Development Office
University of Ulster at Jordanstown
Room 02B21
Shore Road, Newtownabbey
BT37 0QB
Tel: 028 9036 6011
E-mail: p.corrigan@ulst.ac.uk
Web: www.ulst.ac.uk/nicent/index

Northern Ireland Centre for Entrepreneurship
The Northern Ireland Centre for Entrepreneurship (NICENT) is an initiative led by the University of Ulster in partnership with the Queen's University of Belfast as part of their Regional Development focus. NICENT will play a pivotal role in promoting a culture of entrepreneurship through curriculum development and providing support to individuals who have the potential to make new knowledge-based ventures successful. With the advantage of its province wide campus access, NICENT is in a unique position to act as a major asset to the business and industrial community of Northern Ireland and extend the opportunities of participating in wealth creating activities to all sections of the local community.

Contact: Peter Corrigan

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NORTHERN IRELAND
TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
Cloreen Park
Malone Road
Belfast
BT9 5HN
Tel: 028 9024 5133
E-mail: t.edgar@qub.ac.uk
Web: www.nitc.qub.ac.uk

Northern Ireland Technology Centre
Northern Ireland Technology Centre operates as a practical experience centre dedicated to technology transfer. The centre aims to:

• Provide effective technology transfer to industry and academics
• Ensure maximum use of today's technology today
• Provide a centre for good practise in CADCAM technology
• Operate an effective product and process development centre for local SMEs
• Keep key industrial staff aware of new technology
• Prepare engineering students for industry

Demonstration, verification and consultancy support for integrated Information & Communication Technology (ICT) solutions in all aspects of the business process including bidding & estimating, sales order processing, production planning & control and a seamless interface between customer, manufacturing and financial databases. The services will extend to the electronic exchange of data throughout the external supply chain and to multi-site operations acting as a ‘virtual enterprise’.

Contact: Tom Edgar

LISBURN PARTNERSHIP
Unit 2
The Sidings Office Park
Antrim Road
Lisburn
BT28 3AJ
Tel: 028 9260 5406
E-mail: info@lisburnpartnership.com Web: www.lisburnpartnership.com

PEACE II
26 Local Strategy Partnerships and 6 Task Forces were established in Northern Ireland and along the Border, to implement a coherent and integrated local Action Plan consistent with objectives of the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. Funding and programmes commenced in the Autumn of 2002 with various forms of assistance for small and medium sized enterprises.

Contact: Alice O'Kane

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RURAL DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL (RDC)
17 Loy Street
Cookstown
Co Tyrone
BT80 8PZ
Tel: 028 8676 6980
Fax: 028 8676 6922
E-mail: info@rdc.org.uk
Web: www.rdc.org.uk

Rural Development Council (RDC)
The Rural Development Council (RDC) exists to address the needs of rural areas in Northern Ireland . RDC believes that rural communities make a significant contribution to the economic, social and environmental life of Northern Ireland.

It's central objective is to assist in the development of this potential through influencing policy, developing and delivering practical programmes, sharing information and building effective partnerships.

Contact: Communications Officer

Office of Innovation and Enterprise
University of Ulster
Shore Road
Newtownabbey
Co Antrim
BT37 0QB
Tel: 028 9036 6879
E-mail: oie@ulst.ac.uk
Web: www.ulst.ac.uk/oie

University of Ulster
The University of Ulster is committed to playing a full role in the economic, social and cultural development of Northern Ireland . The Office of Innovation and Enterprise, with a presence at all four campuses, supports University staff in their engagement with regional business, industry and community sectors and acts as a gateway for organisations and individuals seeking to access the knowledge, expertise and resources of the University. Services available include:

• Product and process innovation support
• Research and consultancy services
• Business and community networking
• Tailored training and short course provision
• Technology licensing and joint venturing
• Business development and incubation support.

Contact: The Regional Services Manager

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SPECIAL EU PROGRAMMES BODY
6 Cromac Place
Belfast
BT7 2JB
Tel: 028 9026 6660
E-mail: info@seupb.org
Web: www.seupb.org

Special EU Programmes Body
The Special EU Programmes Body functions include:

• Managing Authority for:
• EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation for Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland 2000 - 2004 (PEACE II)
• Ireland / Northern Ireland INTERREG III A Programme 2000-2006
• Administration of certain sectoral sub-programmes under PEACE.
• Monitor and promote the implementation of the "Common Chapter" on co-operation between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Contact: Pat Colgan

TradeNet Ireland Ltd
Unit 54
Mallusk Enterprise Park
Mallusk Drive
Newtownabbey
BT36 4GN
Tel: 028 9084 8848
E-mail: info@tradenetireland.com
Web: www.tradenetireland.com

TradeNet Ireland Limited
TradeNet Ireland aims to improve the trading opportunities among SMEs in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland through the provision of a range of electronic services on its website. A fast growing database of local businesses, TradeNet Ireland is an important resource for businesses looking for new suppliers and/or customers, or if you just want to receive quotes FAST via email. Further details about Membership benefits are available from the website. Register your company at, www.tradenetireland.com.

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Invest NI’s Innovation Vouchers
Bedford Sqaure
Bedford Street
Belfast
BT2 7ES
Tel: 028 9084 8848
E-mail: Claire.herron@investni.com
Web: www.innovationvouchers.com

Invest NI’s Innovation Vouchers
"The Innovation Voucher Initiative is a fund which is open to all Northern Ireland registered small enterprises (companies with fewer than 50 employees and either an annual turnover and/or annual balance sheet total not exceeding €10 Million) to enable them to access expertise from participating Knowledge Providers (universities, further education colleges or publicly funded research bodies) in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI)." (Invest NI)

Contact: Claire Herron

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