Enterprising Libraries Programme

04/07/13

In partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government and Arts Council England, we are running a programme to find the most enterprising libraries across the UK to fund a number of projects in which libraries will use their role as community hubs to spark local economic growth and improve social mobility in communities across the country.

As a first step, we are currently working with the Intellectual Property Office and our National Network partners in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool and Newcastle to establish a network of Business & IP Centres across the country to give people the support they need to fulfil their entrepreneurial ambitions.

The next stage of Enterprising Libraries is the grant programme which will develop partnerships between local libraries who are successful in applying for this commissioned grant and core city libraries, thereby spreading business and intellectual property expertise into wider communities.

For libraries receiving the funding through the programme, we will be helping to provide a core support infrastructure, branding and expertise around, for example, database licenses, international and national company information, provision of networking areas, webinars and masterclasses.

Funding

10 awards of a maximum of £45,000 each are available and partnerships between libraries are eligible for awards, so the money may be spread amongst a number of libraries.

If you have any questions, you can email Business & IP Centre Partnerships Manager, Clare Harris

Find out more about the eligibility criteria and apply.