The statutory function of CEBs is to stimulate economic and entrepreneurial activity at city/county level and to develop local indigenous enterprise potential in the micro-business sector. The CEBs seek to harness collective effort across a broad spectrum of the local community with a view to generating local economies of real strength and durability. In this way, growth in employment and wealth as well as improved competitiveness can be delivered at the local level. In order to achieve their objectives, CEBs have a range of support instruments at their disposal to assist viable proposals for business start-up and expansion projects.
Structures

Each CEB operates as a stand-alone limited company whose activities are performed on the basis of an operating agreement drawn up between it and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Exchequer, supported by the European Regional Development Fund, provides most of the funding for the CEBs.

The composition of each Board is set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association and it is designed to ensure broad representation from the community. Typically Boards include representatives of FS, the local City or County Councils, Enterprise Ireland, IBEC, Tourism Authorities, Unions and the private sector. It should be noted that Board members provide their services in a voluntary and unpaid capacity. A key function of the Board is to decide the level and nature of support to be provided in individual cases having regard to their viability.

Each board is assisted by an Evaluation Committee, which makes recommendations on the most appropriate form, or level, of support for projects. The Evaluation Committees are usually comprised of local professionals with banking and accounting expertise who are experienced in cost effective project analysis and who are familiar with local factors and needs impacting on the new business proposals coming forward. Again, the services of these Committees are provided on a purely voluntary and unpaid basis.

The Board is also assisted by a CEO and a number of other support staff. Each CEB typically has a CEO, backed up by 3 or 4 support staff. The current overall number of employees across the 35 Boards stands at just 145. The CEO and his/her staff are responsible, under the direction of the Board, for the administration of the local enterprise supports regime and associated budgetary allocations. These functions are carried out in accordance with general principles and guidelines laid down in the operating agreement between the individual CEB and the Department. The operating agreement sets out the general functioning environment for the CEB and the purposes for which and the manner in which CEB funds may be applied.

These structures provide a high degree of flexibility and build on the ability of the Boards to tap into local knowledge and energies. This, in turn, ensures good harmony between the strategic plans and actions of the CEBs and the needs and demands of the local economies.
CEBs offer a range of complementary supports to entrepreneurs and budding entrepreneurs. The supports range from providing an initial "First Stop Shop" service where individuals can receive advice on the steps involved in setting up a business, to the provision of grants for feasibility studies, provision of financial support for the establishment of new businesses or expansion of existing ones and the provision of a range of soft supports such as training and mentoring.

The range of supports is designed to assist businesses to grow stronger and bigger by being able to provide targeted, and appropriate, assistance at each stage of their development. These supports are outlined in more detail in the following sections.

First Stop Shop

CEBs are a first port of call for those needing information and advice on how to go about setting up or expanding a micro business venture.

Financial Supports

CEBs offer a variety of financial supports to assist the start-up, development and expansion of small businesses in the manufacturing and services sectors employing ten or less people.

Soft Supports

To assist small business in meeting the business challenges of today, the CEBs provide a wide range of "soft" supports, which are geared to meet specific business needs. These include training, mentoring and networking.