Whatever the outcome of the EU/UK trade negotiations, businesses across the island need to be prepared for the end of the Brexit transition phase in Jan 2021.

InterTradeIreland has created FREE Bitesize supports to help you understand the implications of the new trading relationship and its impact on your cross-border business. This useful online resource has all the latest information you will need to know about Customs, People and Supply Chain including useful videos, guides and FAQs that are easy to digest and include specific actions that businesses can take now to prepare for 2021. 

Fighting climate change and making Europe climate-neutral by 2050 is one of the main priorities of the European Commission. Horizon 2020 will support Green Deal related research and innovation with a call worth close to €1 billion. The call is structured in eight thematic areas reflecting the key work streams of the European Green Deal and will support:

• pilot applications, demonstration projects and innovative products
• innovation for better governance of the green and digital transition 
• social and value chain innovation

The call will launch in mid-September with a deadline to submit proposals by end of January 2021.

Cross-border companies in manufacturing and tradable services can avail of fully funded professional advice, to the value of £2,000/€2,250 inc VAT, to address key business challenges related to Covid-19 through the Emergency Business Solutions Programme.

Support is provided for the following:

• Guidance and direction to relevant government supports and help to apply, where feasible
• Completion of lending applications for loan supports
• Legal Issues (HR, employment and redundancy advice, contracts, advice on leases)
• Help businesses diversify to offer other products or services
• Health and Safety/Business Risk
• Rapidly repositioning your business strategy

Many businesses haven’t yet set up to sell online and are potentially missing out on millions of pounds and euro in sales. They will tell you that they were too busy dealing with the day to day demands of production and distribution to even look at it. Many more are simply scared of social media and don’t understand its benefits. E-Merge helps with all of that. Barbara Collins, InterTradeIreland consultant, explains how online marketing has helped businesses survive lockdown.