Business and Regeneration

Local Enterprise Growth Initiative

The Barking and Dagenham Partnership was awarded £15.5 million over 3 years under the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative, a government programme to boost business and enterprise in deprived areas.

The successful Barking and Dagenham Partnership bid was commended by Communities and Local Government as one of the strongest submitted.

The Local Enterprise Growth Initiative proposals form a major element of the Economic Development and Enterprise Block of the borough's new Local Area Agreement which will be delivered through the Barking and Dagenham Partnership.

Specific plans include a major programme to stimulate a local enterprise culture, the creation of a new enterprise partnership - Barking and Dagenham Enterprise - and the establishment of 2 new business centres, 1 dedicated to young entrepreneurs.

Rob Whiteman, Barking and Dagenham Chief Executive, said:

"Our winning Local Enterprise Growth Initiative proposal is about people - taking the enterprise message and business support out into our businesses, schools, homes, community and voluntary sector groups, to exploit the opportunity that abounds in our borough and across London."

Current projects will run from November 2006 to March 2009. For more information on new projects and the application process contact Barking and Dagenham Enterprise.