Leeds Media Centre will be the venue next month for a free interactive workshop designed to help startups and SMEs, researchers, local authorities, NGOs, charities and others better understand the range of European funding opportunities available to UK-based individuals and organisations, including programmes such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and the EIC Accelerator.
Hosted by Andrea Benahmed Djilali, founder of the Circular Fashion Incubator, the two-hour session on Wednesday 3 June will provide a practical overview of current EU funding priorities linked to innovation, sustainability, research, skills, climate action, social impact and international collaboration.
Through facilitated group exercises, participants will discuss common interests and funding priorities; map project ideas against suitable EU programmes; explore transnational collaboration opportunities; develop early-stage project concepts; and practice stakeholder mapping and consortium-building techniques.
Leeds Media Centre is one of three business locations in Chapeltown operated by Unity Enterprise (UE), the not-for-profit subsidiary of BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise.
Richard Aitoro, UE Business Adviser, said: “We are delighted that Leeds Media Centre will form the backdrop for this workshop which will be highly interactive and designed to foster meaningful connections between participants from different sectors and disciplines.
“Andrea previously attended our Breaking Barriers workshops at Leeds Media Centre and, having become a renowned sustainable fashion designer, is organising this event in our impressive Business Hub. Mashair Abdal Magid, founder of Coffeenah Coffee who also attended the Breaking Barriers workshops, will present her coffee products and offer coffee tasting.
“Participants will gain a clearer understanding of EU funding opportunities accessible in the UK, and improve their ability to identify relevant calls and funding pathways.
“They will also be given tips on how to strengthen networking and partnership-building skills, as well as insights into what makes a successful European project proposal.”
Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “Leeds Media Centre has become a popular venue for a host of workshops and masterclasses in recent years.
“We are particularly keen to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs from the local community to attend this session. There may be European funding streams available to them which could provide the opportunity to start a business and change their lives for the better.”
The event – titled ‘Unlocking EU Funding Opportunities for UK Organisations’ – is free of charge with those wishing to attend asked to book their place via Eventbrite.
