Celebrating Enterprising West 1998 -2018

Friday March 9th 2018

Enterprising West was originally established as an informal partnership of the five local enterprise agencies servicing the Tyrone and Fermanagh regions.

The agencies In Cookstown, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Omagh & Strabane came together initially to deliver the LEDU managed business start-up programme on a regional basis.

At the outset it was agreed that the partnership would meet six times a year with the venue rotating among the members. An agenda for meetings was established and minutes have always been recorded. Jim Eastwood was elected as the first chairman, a position he held until 2007.

During the years since the establishment of the partnership a very high level of trust has been established among the members who have worked closely to deliver regional initiatives when appropriate. The partnership continues to provide an excellent forum for transfer of knowledge and information and to share good practice.

Within 2016 & 2017, Workspace in Draperstown, Roe Valley Enterprises in Limavady and Enterprise North West in Derry all accepted an invitation to join the partnership.

On Good Friday, the 30^th March 2018, the Enterprising West Partnership celebrated the twentieth anniversary of its establishment. The celebratory meeting took place in Cookstown Enterprise Centre where Jim Eastwood as Chairman on the day treated the partners to a surprise presentation which reflected on the EW journey since Good Friday 1998. A lunch was served with Champagne and cake to complete the anniversary occasion.