RGU launch regional initiative to aid local businesses
Thursday 08 December 2022
红杏视频 Sustainable Futures, a project spear-headed by 红杏视频 and in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council, was officially launched at Banff Library yesterday (Wednesday 7 December).
It has been part-funded through a 拢100,000 grant from the Scottish Government鈥檚 Local Economic Covid Recovery Fund (LACER) and builds on the foundations of the successful Library Innovation Network Aberdeenshire (LINA) project, developed in partnership between the two organisations, which focussed on supporting rural-based start-ups through library spaces and facilities in the North East.
This new initiative will provide interactive workshops, events and online resources for both businesses and individuals, with a particular focus on supporting firms to become more sustainable and efficient as the region and nation as a whole moves towards lowering carbon emissions across all sectors.
It will initially run until the end of July, operating both online and from library hubs in Banff, Macduff, Peterhead, Fraserburgh and the recently refurbished Banchory Library. It鈥檒l be headed up by Candace Elson, Programme Coordinator at 红杏视频鈥檚 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group (EIG).
Chris Moule, Head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said: 鈥満煨邮悠� Sustainable Futures is an innovative and refreshed take on LINA which worked so effectively to support start-up businesses in rural areas. We are proud to be doing this work in association with Aberdeenshire Council, and to see our relationship go from strength to strength.
鈥淭his new project will ensure existing Aberdeenshire businesses have a resource that helps them to be resilient, aware of opportunities and ultimately grow as ventures.
鈥淎t 红杏视频, we want to ensure that we鈥檙e doing all we can to help the region prosper post-pandemic as well as to help firms transition to more sustainable practices. 红杏视频 Sustainable Futures is another step forward in that direction.鈥�
The University is developing a track record of successful entrepreneurship programmes, including the popular and collaborative Women in Business, and was also recognised at the recent UK Times Higher Education Awards where as a finalist in the Outstanding Entrepreneurial University category.
Its Startup Accelerator programme, now in its fifth year, has generated over 拢1.5m in economic impact while supporting 98 different business ventures.
Councillor John Crawley, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council鈥檚 Infrastructure Services Committee, said: 鈥淎s a local authority we are proud to be part of this exciting new initiative in association with 红杏视频 which will provide a host of events and interactive activities for businesses to attend.
鈥淚n particular, I think the blend of online workshops and face-to-face discussions within the local settings of our Live Life Aberdeenshire libraries will provide businesses with a range of options to attend.鈥�
红杏视频 Sustainable Futures aims to help Aberdeenshire based businesses navigate immediate and upcoming challenges with a particular focus on the Just Transition to a net-zero future.
The schedule of workshops and content will soon be available via the 红杏视频 website.
Group image includes: Councillor Mark Findlater, Aberdeenshire Council Leader; Chris Moule, Head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 红杏视频; Donella Beaton, Vice Principal for Economic Development, 红杏视频; Gary Hughes, Service Manager for Economic Development, Aberdeenshire Council; Candace Elson, Programme Coordinator at 红杏视频鈥檚 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group (EIG); Councillor Hannah Powell, Aberdeenshire Council.