People across the North East will be offered support to set up their own businesses through a new initiative from Sage.
The North East-based firm has announced the launch of its new sustainability and society strategy Knocking Down Barriers in order to help level up some of the most deprived areas in the region and the UK.
As part of the scheme, Sage will provide business mentoring, advice and support for over 1.2m people from underrepresented groups to help them start their own businesses, including in the North East.
The group has committed to a three-year multi-million pound partnership with social enterprise MyKindaFuture and Jobcentre Plus to provide digital content, mentoring and training support for people who are disadvantaged or from underrepresented communities across the UK to start their own businesses
Sage has also agreed a partnership with The BOSS Network for a three-year programme to provide support and guidance to help Black women achieve their goals to start and grow new businesses, as well as a three-year partnership with non-profit lending platform Kiva aimed at improving financial inclusion in communities.
In addition, the firm aims to help tackle the skills gap by providing 10,000 children in the most deprived areas of North of Tyne by facilitating access to STEM skills education
Sage CEO Steve Hare commented: “Sage is standing with the millions of small and medium size businesses (SMEs) we serve around the world by tackling the big challenges of our time.
“We want to knock down the barriers that hinder access to opportunity, equality and sustainability.
“We are upping our commitments to our environmental impact with an ambitious net zero carbon target across our entire value chain, and our social impact, using our technology, time and experience to support a new generation of diverse and sustainable businesses.”
Story taken from BDaily