Home News Community Laois social enterprises urged to apply for share of €500,000 fund

Laois social enterprises urged to apply for share of €500,000 fund

Pictured at the Embrace Farm Accident Survivors Conference in Portlaoise-on November 25 were Francie O’Gorman, Ballinakill, Chairman Laois IFA, James Healy, National President of Macra Na Feirme, Emma Birchall, Queen of the Land with Brian and Norma Rohan, Mountrath, Co. Laois, founders of Embrace Farm
Embrace Farm

A new €500,000 initiative designed to raise awareness of the positive role played by Social Enterprises has been launched.

This scheme will provide grants to Social Enterprises to promote their role in communities across the country.

Social enterprises are businesses in our communities that work primarily to improve the lives of people.

They frequently work to support disadvantaged groups, for example long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, persons who are educationally disadvantaged or to address issues such as food poverty, social housing, or environmental matters.

Laois TD Sean Fleming is encouraging Laois social enterprises to apply and explained how the grants will be delivered in two strands.

He said: “Under Strand One of the initiative, grants of up to €10,000 may be provided to social enterprises to design and implement their awareness raising initiatives/campaigns.

“Under Strand Two of the initiative, grants of up to €50,000 may be provided to Social Enterprise Networks or Support organisations with a National/Regional remit to design and implement their awareness raising initiatives/campaigns.

“I would encourage all organisations with an interest in social enterprises in Laois to submit their applications as soon as possible.

“The closing date is 5pm on October 20. Information on how to apply is available here.

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