Presentation: Cross Border Co-operationBest Practice and Future Opportunities from across the European Union

by Sharon Daly, ASPIRE Programme Co-ordinator

13th June 2013

Project partners

Overview• The background to ASPIRE• ASPIRE as an economic solution• Unique features of ASPIRE• ASPIRE Funding (INTERREG IVA)• Key objectives for ASPIRE• Benefits of ASPIRE• Progress to date and next steps

Background• 26,500 businesses in the EBR area• 89% micro businesses• Micro businesses struggling to achieve

growth, sales and profit• 178,000 graduates aged 20 - 29• 20,000 (11.2%) unemployed and rising• Identified need for support

ASPIRE

ASPIRE is a unique cross border economic development programme, designed to tackle some of the particular problems associated with the current economic downturn, primarily:• Increasing pressure on small businesses to

innovate, survive and remain competitive• Increasing levels of graduate unemployment

ASPIRE is unique• Designed for micro businesses not engaged

in mainstream programmes• Supports both technical and commercial

business projects• Investment in owner/manager training• Development of a business plan for

sustainable growth• Supports and grows the bottom line• Creates employment for graduates• Cross border delivery

Funding availableEligible costs£ Sterling per graduate

Total cost Company contribution

ASPIRE support(INTERREG IVA)

ASPIRE Graduate Salary

17,500 3,600 13,900

Employer NI Contribution

1,575 0 1,575

Total £ 19,075 3,600 £15,475

Funding availableEligible costs €Euro per graduate

Total cost Company contribution

ASPIRE support(INTERREG IVA)

ASPIRE Graduate Salary

20,750 4,200 16,550

PSRI 2,230 0 2,230

Total € 22,980 4,200 €18,780

Performance targetsBusiness support

Assist 45 businesses within East Border Region to employ a graduate for 12 months (70% from NI and 30% from ROI)

Turnover 30% increase in turnover for businesses

Cross Border Trade

33% of businesses to increase cross border trade by 5%

Graduate jobs 50% of graduates offered full time jobs

Additional Jobs 45 additional jobs to be created e.g. admin/production

Programme DeliveryStage 1 Business Recruitment Jan –

Feb 2013

Stage 2 Identify the business need for a graduate and define the associated project and job role –

March – May 2013

Stage 3 Recruit, select and appoint the graduate June – Sept 2013

June – Sept 2013

Stage 4 Mentor, monitor and measure project for 12 months against financial and performance targets

On-going

Benefits to Businesses• Support to businesses to draw up an effective

business development plan • Support to businesses throughout the graduate

recruitment and selection process • Provides businesses with affordable graduate

skills for 12 months – 80% of salary funded by ASPIRE

• On-going advice and support from ASPIRE mentor

• Experience and training in project management • Cross border networking opportunities

Benefits to Graduates• Real, identifiable employment

opportunities within the East Border Region – 45 posts available

• Opportunities for sustained employment and/or career progression

• On-going advice and support from ASPIRE mentor

• Experience and training in project management/ Committee management/Presentation skills

• Cross border networking opportunities

Progress to Date• Letter of Offer Issued April 2012• Managing Agent appointed - Dec 2012• Programme launched - Jan 2013• Information sessions - Jan/Feb 2013• 181 expressions of interest - Feb 2013• 139 businesses eligible to apply to ASPIRE• 90 businesses attended ASPIRE Master Classes• 56 applications received by closing date• 45 Projects approved• 45 Jobs advertised on 7th June 2013

Next Steps• 45 graduate posts advertised on a

cross border basis• 45 graduates appointed and in post

by October 2013 – October 2014

Thank yo

www.aspireprogramme.com