Galway Independent Column - 26 January 2011

Election Manifesto
Elections are hugely important to all aspects of life in Galway. TDs, when elected, whether in Government or Opposition are integral to the significant decisions made affecting the business life of the city and county. Galway Chamber believes that the view of business should be put to the candidates and their political parties prior to the election. This is more important now than ever before. The voice of business must be heard loud and clear in this election.

We are calling for each candidate’s commitment to the matters raised by the business community and their commitment will determine our vote. In the coming days we will issue our own Manifesto to our members and to all candidate for the upcoming election. The items in the Manifesto will reflect the issues of importance to Galway Chamber members whose views have been harvested through survey and through their representatives, the elected members of Galway Chamber Council.

We further urge all members of the business community in Galway to question each candidate with whom they come in contact as to their views on matters pertaining to business ie Galway Airport; Commercial Rates; Supports for SMEs; Access to Credit; the Galway City Outer Bypass; Access to the Region; The Dockland Development; Traffic; Rent Reviews and Corporation Tax. It is in the spirit of Galway Chamber’s mission statement ‘to make Galway the leading location for business, investment and people’ that we initiate this process and to encourage members to make their voices heard and to make their vote count.

Funding Opportunities for Businesses
As a member of the Enterprise Europe Network, Galway Chamber regularly keeps track of upcoming funding opportunities for all types of businesses. A number of funds/grants are currently open to small and medium sized businesses. While the prospect of approaching the EU for funding for your business or project may be daunting for some, Galway Chamber provides practical assistance to businesses to help you understand how the grants are administered and how to apply for funding.
LIFE+
The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment. The objective of the programme is to provide funding via co-financing to the projects which are either a) best practice or demonstration projects that contribute to the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directive, b) innovative or pilot projects for the development of innovative policy ideas, technologies, methods and instruments or c) projects relating to communication and awareness raising campaigns on environmental issues. The Call for Proposals will be launched in mid-February 2011.
Social Entrepreneurs
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is now accepting applications for the Social Impact Programme, including tailored practical assistance and funding of up to €130,000 to develop innovative approaches for addressing social problems or issues in Ireland.
Intelligent Energy Europe
There are many untapped opportunities to save energy and encourage the use of renewable energy sources in Europe, but market conditions do not always help. The Intelligent Energy-Europe programme is the EU’s tool for funding actions to improve these conditions and move towards a more energy efficient Europe. This programme may suit businesses who wish to link up with energy agencies or local authorities to undertake specific energy efficiency related research, awareness raising campaigns etc.
Acumen
This is a sales and marketing programme, which can help your business grow on the island of Ireland by targeting new cross-border markets. The programme which is run by InterTradeIreland offers your business various supports and funding options such as employing a sales person, part-time sales person, market research or employing a graduate.
For more information on any of these funding opportunities or to discuss other possibilities, please contact Carol Brady, Project Manager, Galway Chamber at carol@galwaychamber.com Tel. 091-563536.
Galway Chamber is a member of the Enterprise Europe Network www.een-ireland.ie

‘Your Business, Your Bank’
‘Your Business, Your Bank’, is a 17-page guide prepared by the Credit Supply Clearing Group that offers important advice for small businesses on dealing with their respective banks. Chambers Ireland helped to draft this guide as part of its efforts to help viable small businesses develop better relationships with banks and access credit to grow and create jobs. It is available on our website www.galwaychamber.com