A MERSEYSIDE organisation that provides support to would-be social entrepreneurs is to provide training across Europe after securing an EU grant.

South Sefton Development Trust will use the grant of more than £230,000 from the European Commission to develop a social enterprise training package for Germany, Sweden, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Cyprus.

The trust will utilise its well-established Ignite programme.

Ignite comprises a mix of customised training, advice and support has already helped many people in Sefton and Liverpool to start social enterprises.

The money has come from the EC’s Leonardo da Vinci programme.

Development trust chief executive, Cate Murphy, said: “We’re obviously delighted that our Ignite programme has received European-wide recognition in this way.

“In the short term, Ignite Europe will increase awareness and understanding of social enterprise in the EU, and help to develop a standardised qualification for social entrepreneurs.

“In the longer term, it will help people across Europe to turn their social business ideas into reality, and to use their abilities for the benefit of their local communities.”

The contract also covers the production of resource materials for trainers,

the creation of a social enterprise website and the development of case studies based on existing social enterprise success stories in each country.

It will use learning materials that reflect the individual situation in each country.