The Western Development Commission (WDC) has launched its 2nd call for funding applicants under its Micro Loan Fund for Creative Industries. Following a very successful first call in June of last year, the fund has already disbursed €120,000 to creative businesses in the Western Region and looks forward to increasing its disbursals over 2013.

The WDC Micro-Loan Fund: Creative Industries is open to: sole traders, partnerships, businesses, co-operatives and groups operating in the creative industries sector. This is defined as: Occupations and industries centred on creativity, for the production and distribution of original goods and services. The preference is for businesses to be incorporated i.e. a company limited by shares or a company limited by guarantee but non-incorporated businesses will be considered.

The following 12 creative industries make up the creative sector. Businesses from these sectors are eligible to apply:

• Advertising
• Architecture
• Art/Antiques trade
• Crafts
• Design
• Digital media
• Fashion
• Internet and software
• Music, visual and performing arts
• Publishing
• Radio and TV broadcasting
• Video, film and photography

The business must be based in the Western Region (Donegal, Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Mayo, Galway and Clare) to access the WDC Micro-Loan Fund.

The funding will be used to grow and develop the business in accordance with the promoter’s business plan.

If you feel that this type of funding will help grow your business, and you have the capacity to repay the loan, then you may be interested in applying for a micro-loan.

More information is available, and an Application Form can be downloaded, on www.wdc.ie/microfundci