Tuesday, 7 September 2021
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, TD, announced one million euro in funding for social enterprises nationwide.The Social Enterprise Capital Grants Scheme 2021 will provide funding for the purchase of equipment or the carrying out of repairs or refurbishments to enable social enterprises to improve their service delivery.
The scheme supports one of the key commitments in the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 – “Growing and Strengthening Social Enterprise”.The Department of Rural and Community Development is now inviting social enterprises across the country to apply for funding under the scheme.
Social enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people. Their core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like other businesses, social enterprises pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services on an ongoing basis. However, surpluses generated by social enterprises are re-invested into achieving their core social objectives, rather than maximising profit for their owners.
Making the announcement, Minister Humphreys said "I am delighted to be in a position to announce the launch of the one million euro Social Enterprise Capital Grants Scheme 2021 which will support social enterprises across Ireland that are providing valuable services in their communities. This scheme will provide small grants to social enterprises with the cost of capital projects such as refurbishments, repairs or the purchase of new equipment. Approximately 120 social enterprises from all across Ireland will receive support under the scheme."
The Minister continued "This initiative builds on other successful schemes for social enterprises funded by my Department in recent years, such as the Training and Mentoring Scheme, the Small Capital Grants Scheme for Social Enterprises, and the Social Enterprise COVID-19 Regeneration Programme. This announcement underscores my commitment under the National Social Enterprise Policy to growing and strengthening Social Enterprise.The scheme will be delivered by the network of Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) who have a great track record in administering similar supports at a local level. Final decisions on funding will be made by the Department of Rural and Community Development."
The Social Enterprise Capital Grants Scheme 2021 is being administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area. Details on how to apply will be available from each LCDC shortly.
Donegal Local Authority has been allocated €46,272.04 under this scheme.
In order to allow flexibility, the Department is not setting a national closing date, but will allow each LCDC to set its own, to best suit its area. The Department will require that all closing dates are no later than 15 October 2021.
Groups should check with their LCDC for further details.
