The latest round of Invest Northern Ireland’s Ambition to Grow programme is now open The programme offers micro, small, and medium-sized businesses in Northern Ireland the chance to secure up to £45,000 in funding and become a part of Invest NI’s client portfolio. The initiative supports businesses to expand, create jobs, and grow sales outside…
Find out how the Procurement Act 2023 affects you From 24 February 2025, new rules under the Procurement Act 2023 will reshape how public bodies purchase goods and services. These changes aim to streamline procurement processes and create opportunities for suppliers of all sizes, particularly small businesses, start-ups, and social enterprises. To help suppliers understand…
Webinars are taking place throughout January 2025 to provide guidance on new fire regulations that will be introduced later this year. The Department of Finance (DoF) is hosting webinars to provide information and guidance on local building regulations being updated to improve fire safety standards, particularly for residential buildings and houses. The webinars will help…
Employers are urged to participate in Apprenticeship Week running from Monday 3 to Friday 7 February 2025. Would-be apprentices and employers are being encouraged to release their potential during Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2025. Led by the Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week will showcase how apprenticeships can transform the future of apprentices…
Construction businesses asked to take breaks in January to focus on key areas of health and safety. The Construction Eployers Federation (CE) has released resources for Safety Reboot 2025, the month long health and safety initiative taking place throughout January. The initiative aims to encourage construction businesses across Northern Ireland to stop work for about…
Help shape future support for women-led businesses Women business owners across the island of Ireland are being asked to take part in a new study to help improve support for women-led businesses. The study is being carried out by InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, and Invest Northern Ireland as part of the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme. The…
Changes to general product safety rules in Northern Ireland From 13 December 2024, new general product safety rules will take effect in Northern Ireland. These changes align with the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) and aim to ensure the safety of products available to consumers. Who will the changes affect? The changes will apply…
Protect backup data from ransomware attacks The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published new guidance on protecting backup data from ransomware attacks. The principles set out the features that backup systems should have to resist destruction by ransomware. Backup data is essential for recovery after a ransomware attack. There are two main backup methods:…
Prepare for new packaging and labelling measures The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is reminding remaining marketing authorisation holders to ensure they are prepared for the new packaging and labelling measures. The vast majority of companies have already submitted updated artwork to ensure compliance with the new arrangements for medicines following the Windsor…
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir has announced the 2024 Small Woodland Grant Scheme is now open for applications. This grant will support landowners to create new native woodland that will provide a range of ecosystem services and benefits for people including contributing to mitigating the impacts of climate change. The scheme provides…
