Green for Micro scheme to help prepare small businesses for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future.
Just as Local Enterprise Week got underway the Irish Government revealed a new ‘green’ enterprise support.
The Green for Micro programme, an initiative from the Local Enterprise Offices with support from Enterprise Ireland, is being rolled-out nationwide to help prepare small businesses for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future.
“Making your business more sustainable is not just the right thing to do from an environmental point of view, it also makes good business sense”
With the help of a Green Consultant, small businesses with up to ten employees can get free advice and technical support on resource efficiency, how to better understand their carbon footprint and how to implement an environmental management system to reduce costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Information about the new Green for Micro programme, including how to apply, are available at LocalEnterprise.ie/Green
“I know this past year has felt like constant firefighting for many businesses. I hope this week is an opportunity to take a bit of time out, to reflect, network and grow,” said Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, TD.
“This year’s theme is ‘Making It Happen’. Our Local Enterprise Offices across the country are always there to help no matter what challenge a business is facing. I’m also launching a new ‘Green for Micro’ initiative to help small businesses decarbonise and become more sustainable. Making your business more sustainable is not just the right thing to do from an environmental point of view, it also makes good business sense.”
Local Enterprise Week
Going for Green: Sinead and Pascal Gillard, founders of Jinny’s Bakery in Leitrim, were guest speakers at the Local Enterprise Week event Benefits of Green for your Business to launch the new Green for Micro programme for small businesses
Organised by the Local Enterprise Offices and supported by Enterprise Ireland and the local authorities, ‘Making It Happen’ is the theme for Local Enterprise Week (1st to 5th March). Virtual events include information webinars, online networking and masterclasses with entrepreneurs and experts, designed to help those looking to start, grow or pivot their business in 2021.
“Businesses throughout the country are being severely impacted by Covid-19 restrictions and many haven’t been able to trade fully since last year,” said The Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Robert Troy, TD.
“That’s 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. The Local Enterprise Offices are on hand to help small businesses plan and prepare for 2021 and I am confident that through our collective efforts, we are beginning to turn the tide on these challenging times; and we will spring back.”
Chair of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices Padraic McElwee said that there are more than 200 events happening across Local Enterprise Week.
Local Enterprise Week is the ideal time for business owners and those thinking of starting a business to find out what supports and programmes can help them face the challenges ahead. From existing schemes, like the Trading Online Voucher or Brexit Mentoring to new programmes, like Green for Micro, there is a whole suite of training, mentoring and financial supports that we’re encouraging small businesses to sign up for.”
Going for Green: Benoit Nicol, sustainability enthusiast and founder of The Nature of Things in Dublin City, a guest speaker at the Local Enterprise Week event Benefits of Green for your Business
The other Spotlight events taking place during Local Enterprise Week are:
- ‘Building The New’ – A dynamic morning session featuring insights from innovators and new start ups, on Tuesday, March 2nd at 10am (open to all businesses across the country and organised by Local Enterprise Office Galway).
- ‘Growing Lean: One Small Step or One Giant Leap, Getting Started with Lean’ – An introduction to the basics of Lean thinking, how it is applied and the many supports available, on Tuesday, March 2nd at 2pm (open to all businesses across the country and organised by Local Enterprise Office Kildare).
- ‘AgriTech Revolution in Farming and Food’ – A fast-paced interactive conference that will examine how AgriTech has transformed farming and continues to help the sector thrive, on Wednesday, March 3rd at 9.30am (open to all businesses across the country and organised by Local Enterprise Office South Cork).
- ‘Creative Connections: Enabling your B-2-B Online Opportunities’ – Aimed at entrepreneurs in creative sectors, this event is designed to showcase opportunities through developing online tools for selling to the Trade, on Wednesday, March 3rd at 2pm (open to all businesses across the country and organised by Local Enterprise Office Carlow)
- ‘Engage for Growth with David Meade’ – A highly energetic and interactive 90 minute session introducing the psychology of leadership and providing a practical toolkit for effective business management, on Thursday, March 4th at 10am (open to all businesses across the country and organised by Local Enterprise Office Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown).
- ‘S.M.A.R.Tech for StartUps’ – A dynamic event is aimed at technology start-ups who want to learn more about cutting edge technology and supports available, from both private and public sectors for their business growth, on Thursday, March 4th at 4pm (open to all businesses across the country and organised by Local Enterprise Office Clare).
- ‘Masterclass: Health checking your business for its forward journey’ Blaise Brosnan, Management Resource Institute author and business guru, will deliver a practical masterclass assessing the financial health of your business, on Thursday, March 4th at 7pm (open to all businesses across the country and organised by Local Enterprise Office Wexford).
- ‘Trading Online Voucher Information Webinar’ – An interactive online information session covering various topics, including developing a website, digital marketing, social media for business and search engine optimisation. The information provided is impartial and will help you decide what trading online options are right for your business, on Friday, March 5th at 9.30am (open to all businesses across the country and organised by Local Enterprise Office Fingal).
Details for all the events taking place for Local Enterprise Week, running until March 5th, are available at LocalEnterprise.ie/Week
Main image at top: Going for Green: Emmet Bosonnet, founder of Kopper Kreation in Dublin City, who was a guest speaker at the Local Enterprise Week event Benefits of Green for your Business to launch the new Green for Micro programme for small businesses
By John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)
Published: 2 March 2021
