Are you a woman in the Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon Borough Council area with a budding business idea or in the early stages of trading?
The Spark It ABC programme, a fully funded 12-week initiative, is designed to provide you with the essential tools and support to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Running from October 2025 to January 2026, this comprehensive programme offers 25 ambitious women a unique blend of practical training, expert-led workshops, peer support, and ongoing guidance, all aimed at building a robust foundation for your business journey.
The Spark It ABC programme is meticulously structured to cover all critical aspects of starting and growing a business. Participants will engage in six expert-led business modules, delivered through a mix of online and in-person sessions. These modules delve into essential topics such as mindset, marketing, finance, operations, and strategic planning.
In addition to these core modules, participants will benefit from two specialised digital marketing workshops conducted by Digital 24.
These workshops will focus on enhancing your online presence through SEO, improving visibility, leveraging social media, and mastering email marketing techniques. Furthermore, the programme includes Champion-led peer support groups, providing invaluable guidance, encouragement, and structured accountability through interactions with experienced female entrepreneurs. A private Facebook group will also be available, fostering a connected community where participants can share progress, ask questions, and support each other throughout the programme.
To be eligible for the Spark It ABC programme, applicants must meet specific criteria. The programme is open to women aged 18 or over who live or have a business address within the Armagh City, Banbridge, or Craigavon Borough. Applicants should be either at the pre-start stage, with no sales yet, or in the early stages of trading, having started within the past six months or trading longer as a hobby or sideline. A commitment to attending all programme sessions is essential.
The programme runs from October 2025 to January 2026, with a mix of in-person and online sessions. Key dates include an in-person session on Thursday, October 23, 2025, followed by online sessions on November 6 and 13, another in-person session on November 20, and digital marketing workshops on November 27 and December 4.
Peer support sessions will be held between November 7 and December 21, with dates arranged within small groups, and the programme culminates in a final showcase on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
With places limited to 25 and allocated through a competitive application process, interested individuals are encouraged to apply before the deadline on Friday, July 28, 2025, at 5 pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to ignite your entrepreneurial spark and set your business on the path to success.