About the PIKE Programme
Managed in conjunction with Bolton MBC, the Partnership Innovation Knowledge Enterprises project is working with a range of organisations to deliver safer individual, community, working and living environments for the people of the North West. This is an enterprise-driven initiative seeking economic competitive advantage through strategies to reduce crime and the considerable damage done to business through crime related activities.
PIKE aims to:
- Work in partnership with business support organisations and Business Improvement Districts in ERDF Objective 2 areas of the North West to provide support to enable SMEs to reduce the impact of crime on their businesses and improve the opportunities for future development.
- Help to remove barriers to growth of SMEs in deprived areas through the identification of existing causes of crime and other negative influences to enable the provision of effective responses and crime reduction initiatives.
- Encourage an active re-thinking of business, social enterprise and public sector opportunities not just in terms of ‘tackling crime’ but in developing regional expertise and capacity that significantly grows a good range of jobs, products and services that bring quality of life and economic advantage and opportunity.
PIKE is able to assist organisations of all kinds, but its services can only be provided free of charge to companies, social enterprises and registered charities that are classed as independently owned SMEs operating from a registered address in an area deemed "fully eligible" for ERDF Objective 2 funding. This can be checked very simply by entering your postcode into the free checker at www.objectivetwo.co.uk.
An SME (small or medium sized enterprise) is defined as a business that has fewer than 250 full-time equivalent employees and an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million (Euro). To be eligible, the SME must not be more than 25% owned by a larger enterprise that exceeds these figures.
Certain types of businesses are ineligible for assistance. These include retail enterprises, cafes, pubs and others. Most other companies, including those serving the business to business market, are normally eligible. If you are unsure whether your company qualifies, please contact us.
Project targets:
PIKE must assist 88 businesses in the North West by July 2008. An assist is classed as providing businesses with an action plan by which will provide help and support against crime and disorder. Other factors involved with this will be:
- Initial visits
- Cluster meeting invitations
- Completion of risk assessment form
- Website information, newsletters, information alerts
- Seminars/workshops
