Projects
MDA Innovation Network
The MDA launched a Network in autumn 2010 for knowledge based and innovative businesses, with the aim of encouraging business interaction and growth across the West Cheshire, North East Wales and Wirral area.
The project is creating a managed but informal network of knowledge-based companies and those who support growth of such businesses, such as advisors, investors, legal advisors, industry and university experts, government agencies, etc. The events consist of informal business breakfasts plus the occasional special seminar. Further information is available on the innovation network tab.
Make It In Manufacturing
Three ‘Make It’ schools enterprise challenge events were arranged for the autumn 2011 across the area. The Manufacturing Institute’s Make It campaign is a programme of education-business linked activities that are designed to support the curriculum and to create links between schools and manufacturing partners. The Make It Enterprising Challenges are one-day events held across North West England and North Wales which are supported by a host of industry partners including UPM, SHARP, BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover and Robert Wiseman Dairies. Each event is designed to challenge existing negative perceptions of the sector and instead promote a dynamic, fun image of the many career opportunities manufacturing can offer. Further information can be found on the Manufacturing Institute's 'Make It' website.
The MDA's first event which was with UPM Shotton Paper was in December 2009, and the evaluation report can be found here.
Secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester, as well as across the North East Wales and Wirral area were able to apply to send teams of eight year 9 pupils to the following events. For further information please contact mda@cheshirewest.gov.uk:
SHARP Make It Enterprising Challenge
Wednesday 3 November 2011, 9.30am-3pm, Wrexham
Urenco Make It Enterprising Challenge
Thursday 10 November 2011, 9.30am-3pm, Ellesmere Port
UPM Shotton Make It Enterprising Challenge
Tuesday 21st February 2012, 9.30am-3pm, Flintshire
Green Infrastructure Framework
Planning for green infrastructure helps to identify, protect, conserve, enhance and extend healthy natural and built environments, to address the effects of climate change on our communities and to ensure that built developments include usable open spaces that meet the needs of tomorrow’s generations.
The project is supported by Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham Councils along with Cheshire West & Chester, Wirral and Cheshire East Councils, the Environment Agency, Countryside Council for Wales and Natural England. Further information can be found on this link.