About Networks / Applying for funding / Who can apply

The deadline for applications for Finuas 2009-2010 funding was 24th April 2009.

Any group of enterprises or any enterprise-led association could form a Finuas network, provided that they had a strategic and long-term common interest to pursue in relation to the development of human resources within the international financial services sector in Ireland. It may be that a group of companies had identified a skill gap or gap in provision of training which the group of companies want to address together.

In Skillnets' experience, support agencies, advisors, trainers or consultants had often initiated the process and brought companies together to submit an application. These types of bodies were eligible to apply as part of the applicant group. However, they were not eligible as the contracting organisation as it is essential that the direct legal and strategic ownership of the network is handed over to the enterprises themselves. It was also important to note that any organisations that planned to deliver any services to Finuas, if approved, had to adhere to the Finuas procurement guidelines, in order to avoid any possible future conflict of interest.

Finuas Network contracting organisation & promoter

Each network has a contracting organisation who acts as the contracting party with Skillnets and who receives and administers the funds from Skillnets on behalf of the network group. The contracting organisation can be;

• relevant industry and enterprise organisations
• industry associations, federations (i.e. employer organisations)
• trade unions (employee organisations)
• individual companies can also act as the contracting organisation on behalf of the network members
• network members can create companies (of which the network members are subscribers) in order to assume joint responsibility for the process

The role and responsibility of the contracting organisation is to establish the network’s steering group. The network promoter is an individual appointed by the contracting organisation who acts as the contact person for Skillnets during the application phase. Once approved the promoter's role is to sit on the steering group, champion the network and ensure that the needs of member companies are met.