Regional
digitalisation programmes
The Shoestring programme can be used by companies in a range of sectors, from manufacturing to construction.
Regional
digitalisation programmes
The Shoestring programme can be used by companies in a range of sectors, from manufacturing to construction.
Regional Shoestring programmes are available in the UK and globally, with programmes currently running in Cornwall, UK, Western Australia and Egypt, with more in the pipeline. If you are interested in joining one, and are a business in one of these regions, contact the programmes direct via the links below.
Work with us to develop a Shoestring programme in your region
A regional programme enables organisations to scope out or create a local group of advisors and digital experts trained to support SMEs to get started with digitalisation using Shoestring, via a scoping study or rollout programme. Organisations can implement or adapt one of Shoestring’s tried and tested approaches, for inspiration see the current programmes detailed below.
These programmes help companies that struggle to digitalise their processes to get started using low-cost technologies. Organisations can implement one of Shoestring’s tried and tested approaches – for inspiration, see the current programmes detailed below. These programmes help their companies that struggle to digitalise their processes to get started using low-cost technologies.
Current regional programmes
Cornwall Growth Programme, UK
As part of the funded Cornwall Growth Programme, delivered by Oxford Innovation, manufacturers can sign up for a free Shoestring mentored self-start solution which is supported by the local Cornwall Growth Programme team.
The Shoestring team have trained and are supporting a group of Cornwall-based advisors and digital experts to apply the Shoestring approach. The local team deliver Shoestring workshops and support the deployment of simple Shoestring digital solutions that help companies get started.
Western Australia Food and Beverage Programme
The first overseas implementation of Shoestring is in Western Australia, as part of the Food and Beverage Innovation Programme, run by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). The Shoestring team is training up and supporting a Western Australian team of advisors and digital experts via online live workshops and training sessions which have been supported by a couple of in-person visits.
Now in its second phase, the programme is reaching a range of smaller companies including wineries, breweries, a kombucha company and a butcher.
EBRD Egypt scoping study
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development funded a scoping study in Egypt to investigate how Shoestring’s approach to low-cost digitalisation can be scaled throughout the country to align with local infrastructure and reach local manufacturers.
The study incorporated an online Digital Needs Awareness workshop with small-and-medium-sized companies in Egypt and was followed up with a deployment of several Shoestring solutions in two local manufacturing companies.
EBRD is now planning a Shoestring rollout plan across Egypt and investigating how six more scoping studies could be set up in other countries that have strategies to support the digitalisation transformation of small-and medium-sized companies.
Past regional programmes
Scotland scoping study
Supported by Scottish Enterprise and its partners, Shoestring completed its first regional scoping pilot. This was the first time a group of experienced manufacturing practitioners were trained and facilitated Shoestring workshops to the local SME community. The training involved practitioners from Scottish Enterprise’s Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS), National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Advancing Manufacturing Centre, Fort William (AMC).
