Flying the flag for Laois on mission to Europe

CEO of Laois Chamber Alliance, Caroline Hofman, recently travelled to Brussels to represent Laois at the European Parliament of Enterprises in Brussels, as part of a Chambers Ireland delegation.

The European Parliament of Enterprises is the largest event at European Union level giving the floor directly to entrepreneurs.  It brings together over 700 business representatives, coming from 43 European countries, who are given the opportunity to 'become' Members of the European Parliament for one day, debating and voting on some of the most crucial topics currently impacting businesses with major representatives from EU institutions.

This was followed by a second day of meetings with a number of MEPs, followed by briefings at the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union. Delegates had the opportunity to meet with Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU, Ambassador Barbara Cullinane, along with members of the Competitiveness, Trade, and Energy and Climate teams.

Caroline Hofman spoke following her mission to Brussels. 

"It was a privilege to represent Laois at the European Parliament of Enterprises, joining over 700 entrepreneurs from EU and non-EU countries in the Hemicycle of the European Parliament. This is where Members of the European Parliament gather during plenary sessions and also where crucial votes take place.

This was an important opportunity to hear the challenges being faced and solutions other countries are putting forward, and to vote on key issues affecting businesses across Europe.

"Having a voice at not only a local, regional and national level, but also at a European level, is a vital part of the work Laois Chamber Alliance does. It is important for us to give our members a voice through forums like the European Parliament of Enterprises and missions to Brussels.

“Whilst in Brussels, I raised with our MEPs the need for an EU funding officer to be allocated to each county. This funding officer can in turn assist businesses and organisations to inform them of all relevant funding opportunities and to assist them with the application process, which can often be quite complex. There is a significant amount of EU funding available for eligible organisations, and it is important that these organisations are provided with the assistance they need to tap into these opportunities,” concluded Ms Hoffman.

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The event is organised once every two years by Eurochambres in collaboration with the European Parliament.