Women networking together and availing of EU and government assisted services were opening up great opportunities for developing new businesses and becoming confident participants in the development of local economies.

This was stated by Independent MEP Marian Harkin when she launched a new website for Longford Women In Business Network and the Longford ‘Equal’ Development Partnership at the Christmas Fair which was held in Longford on Friday, November 30th.  The website www.longfordshopping.ie has been launched to encourage people to shop in Longford and support Longford produced goods.

Speaking at the launch, the Independent MEP said that it was heartening to see the practical outcome of the €34 million which the European Union had provided over seven years to help people to develop business under ‘The Equal Initiative’.

She praised the partnership model which had seen Longford Women in Business Network working with the County Development Board, County Enterprise Board, Longford VEC, Longford Community Resources, Area Partnership and Longford Women’s Link to encourage small business development by women.  It was also significant she said that the Fair was held in the context of the 16 days Campaign Against Violence Against Women.

Whether it was to develop their own entrepreneurial instincts or to achieve a necessary independence, women in Ireland had unprecedented opportunity to develop their talents and their own business, she said.

“The EU has driven the equality agenda and one of it’s ways of delivery has been through the ‘Equal Initiative’ in which over 500 Longford women have participated in one form or another”, Marian Harkin said.  Longford women had shown their ability to grasp the new opportunities provided in recent years and the supports provided by EU, national and local entities had played a vital role in encouraging women to seek out new additional challenges in their lives, Independent MEP Marian Harkin said.