how WIN are funded

Women Into the Network was initially set up as a North-East based business networking initiative, which aimed to facilitate the development of women’s businesses throughout the region and which conducted a valuable signposting function.  As a not-for-profit organisation, funding and sponsorship was, and still is, a vital ingredient to the project.

The early years

The project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the first three years, working closely with the Barclays Centre for Entrepreneurship at Durham University.  WIN also secured sponsorship for various projects including the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and Durham University Annual Enterprise Lecture from organisations such as Barclays Bank plc and the regional Business Links.

Developing the project

In 2001 WIN secured ESF funding via the EQUAL project to roll WIN out nationally and internationally.  The Accelerating Women's Enterprise (AWE) partnership brought together a number of leading agencies operating at the cutting edge of women's enterprise development spanning the English regions. Together they have developed a programme of activities, which includes: training; access to finance; pre and post business support; networking; mentoring and award schemes. The AWE partnership focussed support on excluded groups of women including ethnic minority, lone parents, disabled women and those from deprived rural and urban areas.   More details on the AWE partnership can be found under 'WIN Partnerships'. 

Additional sponsorship and support was given by a number of organisations in the region.  These are listed under 'List of Past and Current Sponsors'. Thanks are extended to Barclays, One NorthEast and Business Link for their continued support.

Ongoing support

European funding sadly came to an end in 2004, however continued support and funding from One NorthEast enabled Women Into the Network to continue delivering their services to members.  In addition, WIN secured funding and sponsorship from a wide range of public and private sector organisations for various projects including the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.  In 2009 WIN became WIN Ltd, owned and managed by women entrepreneurs in the region, and will continue to work collaboratively with suport organisations and in particular Business Link, to ensure that appropriate business support can be accessed by women across the North East.

If you would like to know more about funding WIN or sponsoring an event, award, publication or research, please do go to 'WIN Sponsorship'.

WIN would like to thank all of our past and current funders and sponsors for their support.