The increasing economic importance of working in partnership with other European countries and fostering links with countries worldwide has meant that the Council has taken on a wider role in international matters in the past few years. By increasing contacts and improving communication channels with both European and International partners we are able to develop trading possibilities and improve awareness of European issues. Existing European projects are principally concerned with developing our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and our local economy.
European SME Week : 6-14 May 2009
Bournemouth will be celebrating European SME Week by holding a free evening event at the Arts Institute Enterprise Pavilion on Wednesday 6th May from 6-9pm. Whether you are already in business or just thinking of starting up, you are invited to attend for an opportunity to network with other local businesses and find out about the support opportunities available from a range of exhibitors. For more details and to book your place for the event, see our Business Events and Training page.
For more information about EU SME Week and to see details of events taking place across the UK and Europe, see the European Commission website.
Trading Abroad - Partenariat Events
Bournemouth Council's Economic Regeneration Unit works hand in hand with local Chambers of Commerce and Business Links to promote and subsidise local companies to attend a series of international business networking events known as Partenariats. Events take place in different cities throughout the world and provide businesses with the opportunity to hold face-to-face meetings with the decision-makers of thousands of international companies.
For information on this year's events please contact the European Information Service Centre on 023 80 206162 or view the Partenariat website.
Brussels Office
The South West UK Brussels Office provides the Council's Economic Regeneration Unit with up to date information on European issues. This includes consultation and information on new legislation, funding opportunities, partner searches, project proposals, seminars and all the latest developments from the European Community. Information is then disseminated to the appropriate departments within the Council to ensure that they are aware of any issues which are relevant to their work. This service ensures that the region can make its views known and have an impact on decision-making within the European Union.
For more information see the Brussels Office website.
Romania
In 1998 Bournemouth Borough Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a town in Romania called Tirgu Mures. Since then Bournemouth Council has shared its knowledge and expertise in a number of areas, including waste management for the town, the setting up of a modern computer network in the town hall, the provision of home care for the elderly, and support for orphans upon leaving their orphanages.
Following a visit to an orphanage for HIV-positive children, a new charity called "Can't Walk Away" was set up.
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