EQUAL 2: Minority business diaspora interchange
| Dates run: | October 2006 - September 2007 |
| Boroughs occupied: | |
| Statistics: |
|
| Value of contract: | |
| Funder: | ESF |
| Delivery Partners | Business Link |
GLE oneLondon ran the EQUAL 2 project from October 2006 to September 2007. The project provided advice and support on international trade to black, asian and minority ethnic (BAME) business owners in the UK and helped to build capacity of its partners and other BAME networks in the UK and Europe.
During the project, a dedicated international trade business adviser met with businesses to help develop their international market strategies and offer unique experience and personal links around the world, whilst also linking them to mainstream services and support such as UKTI, SITPRO and others to support international business development.
Alongside relevant business events in the UK, GLE oneLondon ran two international trade missions to Paris in February 2007, and to the Netherlands in June 2007 for between 10-15 companies. Each mission also included pre- and post mission workshops and training to prepare businesses and ensure they could make the most of contacts and networks.
As part of the programme, GLE oneLondon also supported Development Partnership intermediary agencies and networks to develop their capacity for delivery of initial advice and support in relation to the international market development.
To view one London entrepreneur who gained experience of trading internationally through this project, please click here
For more information, please contact ketevan.m@gle.co.uk
Partners
The Minority Business Diaspora Interchange project was supported by the European Union (European Social Fund under the EQUAL 2 programme) and was delivered in partnership with: UK Trade and Investment, SITPRO, Business Link, Bangladesh- British Chamber of Commerce, ACBN, Latin American Development Association, Chinese Takeaway Association, Vietnamese Business Action, Zwarte Zaken Vrouwen Nederland, Centre d'Education et de Formation Interculturel Rencontre, and Tolomeo Studi e Ricerche s.r.l.
Read the final report
Bridging the Cross-Cultural Divide: November 2007
This report explores the demand for international trade support
to early stage businesses through examination of the project Bridging the Cross-Cultural Divide, funded by EQUAL. The project not only provided support to SMEs but also helped our partners, representing such communities
as Latin American, Bangladeshi, African, Caribbean, Chinese and
Vietnamese to build their understanding of international trade. The findings from this report are now being used as a model for the future.
