The award-winning Innovate for Good (I4G) programme is set to be rolled out in Gateshead later this month following backing from Gateshead Council.
Gateshead Council and North East BIC are seeking the next generation of social entrepreneurs to transform Gateshead and tackle the challenges local communities face today.
Commencing on 24 May 2022, I4G Gateshead will put 12 social enterprises through a five month fully funded and structured accelerator programme. Participants will receive a host of support including regular workshops, meetings with experts and advisers, and collaborative, peer-to-peer learning; in addition to access to coworking space in the Council’s premier Northern Design Centre and Baltic Quarter business centres.
Upon completion of the programme, a grant will be given to help with future work and projects identified by enterprises during the process.
Applications are open to those who live in Gateshead and are setting up a social enterprise, or to those developing and growing an existing social enterprise or cooperative based in Gateshead.
Councillor Malcolm Brain, Cabinet Member for Economy at Gateshead Council said: “We are delighted the BIC is bringing this programme to Gateshead. At the Council we are committed to building the economy of the future by supporting Gateshead businesses to thrive, and social enterprises are a part of this mission.
“Innovate for Good, as an award-winning programme, is fundamental to providing social enterprises with the knowledge and skills required to succeed and make a difference in the local community.”
The programme’s expansion into Gateshead follows on from the successful launch of the Sunderland pilot in 2020. Paul McEldon OBE, Chief Executive at the BIC said: “As the only organisation in the region with a dedicated social enterprise support team, we are committed to underpinning the growth of the social economy of the North East. There are many challenges facing our communities day in and day out, and we are delighted to be working alongside Gateshead Council to inspire new and established social enterprises to make change for good.”
Interested organisations will need to make a formal application to the BIC by 5pm on Monday 16 May. For further information, contact Alex Goodchild via email on alex.goodchild@ne-bic.co.uk or call 0191 516 6138.