EEDA - East of England Development Agency

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Economic Participation

Unlocking the region's potential is essential for creating sustainable economic growth.

Through the Economic Participation programme, EEDA is working to improve employability and increase economic opportunities for individuals to participate fully in the region's economy.

Why some people are unable to participate fully

The East of England is experiencing economic success in many areas, however there are still people unable to participate fully in the economy.

This could be due to:

• lack of suitable skills, confidence or aspiration
• lack of access to appropriate support and training
• lack of capital for starting their own business
• long-term health problems
• employers' perceptions or practices.

Why economic participation is important to the East of England

We need to harness the time and skills of people who aren't currently able to participate in the economy. This is because:

• economic growth is dependent on a growing workforce
• the economy can't reach its full potential if skilled workers are not participating
• non-participation often results in costs to the economy such as benefit payments
• increasing participation raises the quality of life for individuals and communities.

How will economic participation be achieved?

EEDA is identifying the barriers to economic participation and enabling individuals to access jobs or start their own business.

This will involve:

• raising skill levels and addressing employment barriers
• maximising the economic benefits of migrant workers
• stimulating enterprise - for example, helping business start-ups access funding
• building capacity in the third sector - such as charities and the voluntary sector
• developing regional intelligence and influencing policy
• identifying and sharing good practice.

EEDA manages a range of programmes that address region-wide issues of economic participation. It also works with local partners at a sub-regional level to tackle specific local needs and deliver investment into local projects.

Latest news

• £750k boost for social enterprise in Cambridge 20 November 2008 Today (Thursday 20 November) on national Social Enterprise Day, the East of England Development Agency has announced investment of £750,000 in a brand new social enterprise incubation centre in Cambridge, to help ethical businesses in the region to grow.
• ESF / Legacy Trust - Volunteering into Employment Invitation to Tender Launched 17 October 2008 EEDA is pleased to announce the launch of the Volunteering into Employment ITT
• Businesses from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities shown the way to London 2012 gold 1 October 2008 Businesses from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities will be focussing on how to win London 2012 business gold at an event to be held in Luton next month (Wednesday 15 October).
• Eden Project’s Smit tells how to ‘grow your own’ business at EEDA Ideas Exchange 23 September 2008 Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, joins an impressive line-up at EEDA’s next Ideas Talk taking place in Newmarket in November.
• Improving access to financial advice across the region 19 September 2008 A new report, which will be the launchpad for improving access to financial advice and services across the region, is published today by EEDA.

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