The Cross Border Micro Enterprise Programme/Tradelinks is a framework for co-ordinated intervention in support of company and market development for micro enterprises based in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland i.e. the ‘Border Corridor’.

This strategy, which comprises a portfolio of business development

support programmes, is designed to assist businesses displaying

entrepreneurial flair, but which do not have access to a continuous

programme of support, to become more sustainable and competitive, and to generate greater added value, earnings and wealth within their host communities. The Micro Enterprise Programme also addresses the fact that trade between the micro enterprise sector in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is under-developed.

The Tradelinks Programme comprised the following five elements:

            •           ’Entrée’ programme,

            •           ’Gearing Up’ programme,

            •           ’Networking’ programme,

            •           ’Trading’, and

            •           ’Innovating’ programme.

Throughout the course of the project 1600 businesses across the eligible region received support from the project.

Contact Details:

Mr Kieran Mathers

Tel: NI 028 3026 7011 / ROI 048 3026 7011

Email: kmathers@nmea.net