RLN - About Us

Find out more about the Team

Regional Language Network (RLN) East is a joint initiative between UK Trade & Investment, CILT, the National Centre for Languages, and the East of England Development Agency.

Our aim is to promote the value of communicating with customers and contacts overseas in their first language to improve business competitiveness. We signpost valuable services free of charge, provide advice and support to companies with regard to their international communications, and represent the language & culture needs of the business community to key government institutions.

Specifically we strive:

To promote the importance of effective international communications
To provide businesses with the language & culture skills needed to engage in international markets
To help businesses with their international communications planning
To use examples of existing good practice and success within companies
To work with the region’s stakeholders in securing funding for international communications programmes

RLN East project manage a number of language & culture projects on behalf of the East of England Development Agency and UK Trade & Investment. Some of these projects are funded through the European Union and are delivered in cooperation with European partners. Of specific interest to our organisations are projects falling within the Lifelong Learning Programme, including Leonardo.

EEDA and UKTI are keen to work with European partners who can add value to its activities, particularly in relation to international communications for business and employment, and encourage the formation of strong partnerships focussed on specific sectors. We also work closely with trade colleagues in the British Embassies and Consulates overseas.

If you are a strategic or business support organisation based in an EU member state outside the UK, and wish to discuss the possibility of collaboration on European projects with EEDA with regard to language & culture for business, please contact David Owen at davidowen.uktradeinvest@eeda.org.uk.

Information on 'How We Help' is also available in a number of languages, as are introductions to our European projects. Other information and resource on this website is available in English.