EEDA - East of England Development Agency

Send to a colleague

Printer-friendly version

Economic Participation

Unlocking the region's potential is essential for creating sustainable economic growth.

Through the Economic Participation programme, EEDA is working to improve employability and increase economic opportunities for individuals to participate fully in the region's economy.

Why some people are unable to participate fully

The East of England is experiencing economic success in many areas, however there are still people unable to participate fully in the economy.

This could be due to:

• lack of suitable skills, confidence or aspiration
• lack of access to appropriate support and training
• lack of capital for starting their own business
• long-term health problems
• employers' perceptions or practices.

Why economic participation is important to the East of England

We need to harness the time and skills of people who aren't currently able to participate in the economy. This is because:

• economic growth is dependent on a growing workforce
• the economy can't reach its full potential if skilled workers are not participating
• non-participation often results in costs to the economy such as benefit payments
• increasing participation raises the quality of life for individuals and communities.

How will economic participation be achieved?

EEDA is identifying the barriers to economic participation and enabling individuals to access jobs or start their own business.

This will involve:

• raising skill levels and addressing employment barriers
• maximising the economic benefits of migrant workers
• stimulating enterprise - for example, helping business start-ups access funding
• building capacity in the third sector - such as charities and the voluntary sector
• developing regional intelligence and influencing policy
• identifying and sharing good practice.

EEDA manages a range of programmes that address region-wide issues of economic participation. It also works with local partners at a sub-regional level to tackle specific local needs and deliver investment into local projects.

Latest news

• Businesses need to ‘punch harder and further’ to compete internationally 13 July 2010 Businesses in the East of England should look to China, Russia and Eastern Europe for new export opportunities but be prepared to compete aggressively in traditional markets says report from the economic experts at the East of England Development Agency.
• Business leaders call on new government to ‘back the economy in the East of England’ 19 May 2010 Business leaders from across the East of England today published a hard-hitting blueprint for economic growth, which calls for a new partnership between business and government.
• EEDA and NHS join forces to deliver a healthy economy 22 March 2010 The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and NHS East of England have joined forces in a new agreement to boost the health and wealth of the region.
• Launch of money management training programme in the East of England 4 December 2009 A unique project to help people improve their financial skills and get them back into work has received a £400,000 European funding boost through the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).
• Eco-hub helps disadvantaged young entrepreneurs 11 September 2009 Young disadvantaged entrepreneurs within Southend-on-Sea are set to get a helping hand in starting up an environmentally-friendly business with the launch of a brand new facility providing affordable workspace.

Share this page: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon