Hull represents UK in European Enterprise Awards
Hull City Council, One Hull Business Forum and Hull Forward and partners have been shortlisted for the European Enterprise Awards 2010.
The awards recognise excellence in promoting entrepreneurship and small business at local, regional, national and international level.
Hull has been chosen for its 'Pride of Hull' submission which has inspired residents and partners to work towards a common goal: creating the conditions for enterprise and employment opportunities for the people of Hull by Investing in Skills. Among the impressive initiatives, schemes such as the Job Shops established prior to St. Stephens opening, GROW and the Acorn Fund have helped create over 3000 jobs and almost 400 new businesses in the city.
Councillor Kalvin Neal, portfolio holder for employment and enterprise, said: "I am delighted that Hull City Council and our partners have been given recognition on an international stage for the work that has been undertaken to help the city flourish, particularly during the recession.
"Encouraging enterprise amongst local people and businesses is a key priority for the council and our partners and by working together we can create opportunities for a secure future. This will ensure that Hull continues to develop into a city that attracts investment whether this is through regeneration or employment."
The partnership has already won the Yorkshire and Humber regional heats of the Enterprising Britain Award, and come second nationally, against almost 100 entries.
To address the main issues that Hull faces, such as qualifications and basic skills, employment opportunities, regeneration and investment, the council and its partners put together numerous projects to address them.
These included the Grow - local work guarantee programme, the bondholder scheme, regeneration projects such as Humber Quays, the World Trade Centre and St. Stephen's, the Youth Enterprise Bank, the Acorn Fund, Hull Deal and support from the University of Hull and Hull College.
Through projects like these the partnership is now well established, robust and flexible, able to anticipate and react to economic change. Whilst having specific roles playing to individual strengths, each partner focuses on a shared objective - to drive enterprise in the city, whatever the sector, field or business.
