Stimulating enterprise and innovation in Belfast
Client:
North West Belfast has experienced significant economic deprivation, low levels of employment and also the challenges of divided communities. Belfast City Council wanted to bring opportunity, enterprise and high quality jobs to the area through the digital and tech focused Innovation Factory.
The purpose:
We were appointed to support the design of the building and developing its sustainable operating model. Core to Innovation Factory’s offer is business advice and support to centre customers, outreach programmes raising awareness of enterprise to local people, including schoolchildren and stimulation of local high value employment opportunities. Innovation Factory also has a placemaking role, acting as a stimulus for future developments to support innovation in this part of the city.
The impact:
One comment from a local business leader, highlights one of the most significant contributions:
“The Innovation Factory has changed the character of this part of Belfast. I can now see my children choosing to live and work here which I would not have said before.”
The Centre is also now financially sustainable and achieving its goals as the stimulus of local employment and encouragement of enterprise.
