Successful Conference on Future Funding and Support for the Region's Third Sector

Last Friday, representatives from voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSE) from across the East of England attended a packed conference in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire hosted by Inspire2Enterprise. Attracting over100 attendees from the region, the event focused on the future of funding for the VCSE sector, helping delegates understand the changing funding environment and learn more about the support available to them.

The day featured a comprehensive programme of keynote speakers, workshops and a range of support providers hosting exhibitor stands. Karl Wilding,Director of Public Policy at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) delivered a highly entertaining and informative overview of national policy developments and the impact they would have on VCSE organisations.

Additional expert advice and guidance on grant funding, supply chain delivery, social investment and European funding was provided by a range of organisations including Charity Bank, Big Lottery, Serco and the Local Enterprise Partnerships. Complementary to this were a range of providers, such as Inspire2Enterprise, Social Firms UK, the University of Northampton and Social Enterprise East of England, who were on hand to provide detailed sector-specific support.

Delegates left the event with a greater understanding of thechanges likely to impact on their organisation and the range of support available in order to help them survive and grow in the future.

The event was organised by Inspire2Enterprise CIC, a joint initiative between the University of Northampton and, enterprise support experts, Exemplas. It offers a programme of free support to anyone looking to start, grow or improve their social enterprise. This includesvoluntary & community groups and charities wishing to develop, or improve income generation activities; such as selling a product or service and contract delivery.

Partnership Manager at Inspire2Enterprise, Paul Henry says, "The success of last week's Conference demonstrates the proactivity and ambition of the VSCE sector in the East of England. The event helped explain how the sector will be funded in the future and the wide range of information and support available to help VCSE organisations adapt and grow."

For free support to start, grow or improve your social enterprise, voluntary or community organisation, please call Inspire2Enterprise on0844 9800 760or emailinfo@inspire2enterprise.org.

-ENDS-

Notes for Editors:

Inspire2Enterprise CIC is a social enterprise; a joint initiative between the University of Northampton and Exemplas, providing a unique free-to-access social enterprise support, information and advice service - from start-up through to initial growth and beyond.

The Inspire2Enterprise service is delivered by qualified advisers and specialists, by phone, email or online via webcam, enabling immediate access to the support you need.

The Inspire2Enterprise service is available to potential and existing social enterprises, Public Sector bodies considering social enterprise 'spin-outs', Third Sector organisations looking to trade by way of social enterprise and corporate organisations seeking to create further social value through corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The conference is free-to-attend for all organisations based in the East of England: the counties of Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

The IMPACT project is part financed by the Competitiveness Programme European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.gov.uk/browse/business/funding-debt/european-regional-development-funding

For general media enquiries, please contact:

Ruth Oakey- Marketing Manager (Enterprise) - Inspire2Enterprise

Tel: 01707 398166, Email:rutho@exemplas.com