Cumbria’s successful free peer to peer programme has now been opened up, following Government’s relaxation of the entry requirements for SMEs.
The programme, delivered locally by delivery partners contracted to Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, is now offering businesses with two employees or more the opportunity to develop and grow their business.
Peer Networks is designed to support businesses to move beyond recovery and to get their business back on a growth footing by working collaboratively with other businesses.
The programme is funded by Government and s delivered at no cost to the businesses that join it.
It provides business leaders with the opportunity to discuss real world business challenges and opportunities with their peers and to develop action plans to take their business to the next level.
Businesses are carefully matched to a group that best suits their business needs, with the delivery partners providing specific sectoral, geographical or client group expertise.
Amanda Wharton, programme manager at Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I am delighted to announce that the funding criteria has been extended to help us deliver this important business support programme to more of Cumbrian SMEs.
“Last year over 140 businesses benefitted from the programme and this year that number will increase to 190, with the final number of places available to start in January. Places are now limited and I would therefore really encourage our businesses to come forward, quickly”.
“Peer Networks aims to provide small and medium sized businesses with the tools, innovation and skills that they need to make a real difference to their business.
“This tailored support and advice and the bringing together of business leaders delivers solutions to the challenges that businesses are currently facing, helping them to grow and prosper. I hope as many businesses as possible will benefit from this great programme.”
Interested businesses can find out more and apply by contacting Amanda at Amanda.Wharton@thecumbrialep.co.uk
