Countdown to the First Virtual Local Enterprise Week Continues

An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar T.D. has announced the full programme of events for Local Enterprise Week (LEW), which is taking place online from Monday, March 1st to Friday, March 5th.

More than 200 virtual events are planned by the LEOs around the country, including LEO Fingal, and these include training workshops, information webinars and masterclasses with entrepreneurs and experts, designed to help Ireland’s small businesses and those looking to start a new business in 2021.

Organised by LEO Fingal and supported by Enterprise Ireland (EI) and Fingal County Council, this year’s theme is ‘Making It Happen.’ Common topics across the week include starting a new business, resilience and recovery, the green economy, becoming ‘leaner’, exploring new markets, doing business online and the new trading relationship with the UK. For the first time, LEW also includes ten ‘Spotlight’ events, and these are open to every business across the country.

Highlights from LEW are expected to include: the highly interactive “Future-Proof Your Business” bootcamp—which will be opened by Mayor of Fingal, Cllr David Healy, and feature National Enterprise Awards winner Derya Sousa; the ever-popular “Instagram for Business” webinar; the Fingal Enterprising Women Network online session featuring acclaimed TV presenter and entrepreneur Gráinne Seoige—celebrating International Women’s Day; and the Trading Online Voucher ‘Spotlight’ event—offering small businesses the opportunity to develop their website or digital marketing strategy by availing of a grant of up to €2,500.

An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar T.D. is officially opening LEW at the first ‘Spotlight’ event, the Green for Micro launch on March 1st. He said:

“Local Enterprise Week will be entirely online this year, with over 200 events taking place. We have all had to do things a little differently because of the pandemic and I’ve no doubt that those participating will find this year’s week just as useful and interesting.

“I know many businesses have really relied on their Local Enterprise Office for advice, training, and financial help during these difficult few months. Local Enterprise Offices are the point of contact for many of the Government’s grants and training schemes, such as the new Green for Micro initiative, the Trading Online Voucher Scheme, and the Lean programme. Local Enterprise Week is the perfect opportunity to have a look at what help is available and find what works best for your business.”

Speaking in advance of opening LEW in Fingal, Mayor Healy highlighted the necessity for all small enterprises highlighted the necessity for all small enterprises to use the opportunity to tap into the wide range of supports available to them in these challenging times: “Through our Local Enterprise Office, Fingal County Council is providing vital services and assistance to our local businesses. We want to ensure that our SMEs take advantage of the various programmes and supports available to them through the LEO and other state bodies”.

Head of Enterprise in Fingal, Oisín Geoghegan further added: “Small businesses throughout Fingal are being severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and many haven’t been able to trade fully since last year. That is why initiatives like Local Enterprise Week are more important than ever as they showcase all the supports that are available to small businesses and start-ups now. As well as the ten ‘Spotlight’ events, we are offering a full programme of events over the five days of Local Enterprise Week. Our advice to all local businesses and to those with a business idea, is to have a look at the events taking place by visiting LocalEnterprise.ie/Fingal and to book early.”

Details for events taking place for LEW 2021, are available at www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Fingal. LEW is an annual initiative from the LEOs and supported by EI, local authorities and the Government of Ireland.