Minister Humphreys announces new €800,000 Regeneration Programme for Social Enterprises

From Department of Rural and Community Development 

Programme to support Social Enterprises in the recovery from COVID-19

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today (Monday, 22 February), announced a new €800,000 Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme to help Social Enterprises recover from the impact of COVID-19.

Social enterprises are businesses whose

core objective is to achieve a societal or environmental impact.

The Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme will provide supports through training and mentoring to help social enterprises strengthen their operations and improve their services.

Announcing the programme, Minister Humphreys said :

“The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the invaluable role played by Social Enterprises in their communities.

“Across Ireland throughout the pandemic, Social Enterprises have made an important contribution in areas such as mental health, social inclusion and the circular economy.

“Today, I am delighted to announce the COVID-19 Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme which will help Social Enterprises to recover from the impact of COVID-19.

“The programme, which is funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund, will provide free training and mentoring to social enterprise managers, directors and staff across the country.

“It will place a particular focus on strategic planning, digital innovation, capacity building and governance. It will also assist social enterprises to strengthen their operations, and improve their services.”

The Minister added :

“The COVID-19 Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme builds on successful schemes for Social Enterprises funded by my Department in recent years, such as the Training and Mentoring Scheme and the Small Capital Grants Scheme for Social Enterprises.

“The new funding I am announcing today underscores my commitment to supporting Social Enterprises and to delivering the National Social Enterprise Policy which was published by my Department in 2019.

“The programme will be delivered by the Local Development Companies on a regional basis and will be managed on the Department’s behalf by the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN).

“This will allow ease of access for Social Enterprises in all areas of Ireland, as well as utilising the localised expertise of the Local Development Companies.”

Find out more: here.