A number of funding initiatives and programmes exist to help businesses with their international communications. Most funding comes from the Department of Trade and Industry, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), and the Learning and Skills Councils (LSC). Some funds can be directly accessed by companies via business support organisations (such as Business Link or the British Chambers of Commerce), whilst other funds are tendered out to providers to run the training programmes.

A key support mechanism is BLIS Professionals, a database of quality-assured international communication experts, translators, interpreters, language and cultural trainers (see interactive roadmap).

For more information contact us.

Towards 2010
An opportunity to access 50% funded language & culture training. This is a project funded by the East of England Development Agency for companies across the region engaged in the priority sectors of manufacturing, energy, environmental technology, food & drink, life science & biotechnology, creative and tourism.

Language and culture training is funded for those companies who have identified through a formal diagnostic such as the DTI's Export Communications Review (see below) or equivalent that such training is business critical and has immediate impact. An average of £2500 per company and £750 per employee is available. For more information contact us. For more information contact us.

Export Communications Review (ECR)
An export communications review provides companies with impartial and objective advice about addressing language and cultural barriers when trading with overseas markets. The review aims to assist companies to develop effective communication strategies for overseas markets and improve their overall international competitiveness.

Financial support is available to companies with fewer than 250 employees and an initial review costs from only £50 +VAT. A maximum subsidy of £750 is available to eligible companies towards the costs of a review. The review can be purchased in stages to meet company needs - a review may involve up to three visits, depending upon the size of company and the extent of its product range and export activity. The service is managed by the British Chambers of Commerce. For more information contact us. Please visit the ECR micro site

Leaflet Translation & Printing Service
This programme, currently under development, aims to provide companies with a subsidised leaflet translation & printing service. Four design options are available based on A4 leaflets. The service is managed by the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce in partnership with UK Trade & Investment. For more information contact us.

Leonardo Food & Drink
RLN East and EEDA are now offering a programme of business support and pilot training for 300 food & drink companies in the East of England, Southern Poland, Central Hungary and Bulgaria. If your business wishes to be part of this project, please contact us. Please visit the Harvest micro site.

Global Communication for Micro-Businesses
A 100%-funded business language training programme for companies within travelling distance of Luton which employ 10 staff or less. Companies with a higher staff head count receive subsidised training on a sliding scale. The programme lasts 20 weeks and is delivered once a week from 3-6pm in Luton, with some available also in Bedford. Currently available in French, Spanish, German and Mandarin Chinese. The programme runs from October 2006 to Jue 2007. For further information, Contact Us.