Welcome to the NWDA

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is responsible for stimulating the economic growth and regeneration of England’s Northwest. As a business-led organisation, we provide a crucial link between the needs of business and Government policies and we work to create an environment in which businesses in the region can flourish.

In response to the current economic climate, we have recently announced a package of new and enhanced support to help Northwest businesses. Find out more about how we are helping businesses in the region.

Our 5 key priorities and areas of work are:

Business

Encouraging new enterprises and supporting innovation, growing key regional sectors, exploiting the region’s science base and improving international competitiveness. Find out more about how the NWDA supports business in the Northwest
Skills & Education

Tackling worklessness, improving the skills base of the region and creating employment opportunities. Find out more about how the NWDA supports skills development in the Northwest
People & Jobs

Developing job linkages, growing local employment, improving the health of the workforce and responding to population change. Find out more about how the NWDA supports people and jobs in the Northwest
Infrastructure

Developing the region’s transport infrastructure and ensuring the provision of appropriate employment and housing sites through an effective planning system. Find out more about the NWDA's role in transport and infrastructure
Quality of Life

Developing the culture and image of the Northwest, improving community cohesion and capitalising on the region’s natural assets to enhance quality of life. Find out more about how the NWDA is developing the image and environment of the Northwest

Supporting Business

Mandelson gives £35m Business Start-Up programme the green light
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has given the go-ahead for a new £35m Business Start Up programme for the Northwest, funded by the NWDA and ERDF.

Steven Broomhead calls for realsitic optimism in 2009
"It is a tough business climate at the moment, but we have a robust and diverse economy and it is important that in 2009 we all develop a business culture of realistic optimism. By doing this we will be ready for the eventual upturn."

Business Link Northwest - Access to Business Support
The Agency has boosted the financial advice and guidance available to businesses via Business Link Northwest, the NWDA's service that provides access to all public and private sector business support.

Supporting Business - Update
The NWDA has recently announced a package of new and enhanced support to help the region's businesses through the current economic conditions.

Videos

Key Initiatives

Regional Funding Advice (RFA) Consultation
Government has invited the Northwest to submit advice on investment priorities. NWDA and 4NW, working with other regional partners and stakeholders has produced draft advice for consultation across the Region.

Business Support Simplification Programme (BSSP)
BSSP is an HM Treasury initiative which aims to make it easier for companies and entrepreneurs to access government-funded services and advice to develop their businesses. The NWDA is playing a critical role in the simplification programme.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
The NWDA has taken on the day to day strategic management and delivery of ERDF through the new European Programme Team. For the first time, there will be just one ERDF Programme for the region.

Regional Strategy 2010
Work is underway to develop new Regional Strategy. Due in 2010, and created through consulation, the new RS2010 will be a new and clear strategic investment framework for the region, building on the current Regional Economic Strategy.