ESF Self Employment (European Social Fund)

The ESF Self Employment programme was funded by the European Social Fund and was available to anyone who was unemployed and over the age of eighteen. The programme was run by InBiz in the North East and covered the areas of Durham and Tees Valley.

Programme Type
  • Awareness
  • Preparation and Planning
  • Getting Started
  • Support and Survival
  • Regeneration
  • Alternatives
  • Previous Programmes

The ESF Self Employment programme had four stages:

Awareness
Either in a small group or one to one with a trained InBiz business consultant, clients learned about the benefits or pitfalls of becoming self employed. In a confidential discussion about their business idea, clients and their business consultant started planning by taking into account their experiences and skills, and looked at areas where they might have needed help such as funding or extra training.

Planning
By getting the basics right, clients were in a better position to start trading and succeed. Working closely with the business consultant they produced a plan suited to their idea and circumstances including cash flow projections. They also worked towards an ASET award in business planning.

Getting Starting
Once they had decided to start, clients were able to 'test trade' their business for a period agreed with their business consultant without having to give up benefits or allowances.

Survival and Support
Running a business is rewarding but can involve facing challenges. InBiz offered the support of a business consultant long after the programme has finished and, in some areas, ran ongoing programmes to assist clients further.

Funded by: European Social Fund