THE Western Development
Commission (WDC) has launched its second call for
applicants under its Micro Loan Fund for Creative
Industries. Loans of up €25,000 are available to
successful applicants. Following a very successful
first call in June of last year, the fund has
already disbursed €120,000 to creative businesses in
the western region and looks forward to increasing
its disbursals over 2013.
Creative Industries are defined as 'occupations and
industries centred on creativity, for the production
and distribution of original goods and services'.
Gillian Buckley, investment manager with the WDC
said “The fund is designed to support creative
industries, which, based on extensive WDC research,
is an area of burgeoning growth potential within the
region.”
The fund will operate on a competitive 'call for
applications’ basis with four calls in 2013.
Applications will be accepted from the first working
day to the last working day of each quarter in
March, June, September and December.
The following 12 creative industries make up the
creative sector and businesses from these sectors
are eligible to apply:
Advertising
Architecture
Art/Antiques trade
Crafts
Design
Digital media
Fashion
Internet and software
Music, visual and performing arts
Publishing
Radio and TV broadcasting
Video, film and photography
Application details at
www.wdc.ie/microfundci |