New €2 million ‘Growing Social Enterprise’ fund launched

Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD has announced the launch of the new €2m Dormant Accounts funded ‘Growing Social Enterprise’ fund which is an action within the ‘Trading for Impact 2024-2027’ -Ireland’s National Social Enterprise Policy.

The purpose of the fund is to provide capital supports that assist enterprises to achieve their social, environmental and economic objectives, and to improve their sustainability and impact. The fund will benefit up to 100 social enterprises nationwide, with grants ranging from €1,500 to €100,000.

Minister Humphreys said

“I am also delighted to launch the new 2024 ‘Growing Social Enterprise Capital Fund’. This €2m fund will provide much needed support nationwide to purchase equipment or undertake building works, enabling social enterprises to continue the great work they do in our communities.”

Aim: To provide capital grant supports to assist social enterprises achieve their social, environmental or economic objectives.

Purpose: Funding will be provided to social enterprises to be used for capital projects such as building works, repairs, refurbishments, or for the purchase of new machinery, vehicles or equipment.

Funding for this Growing Social Enterprise Fund is 100% sourced through Dormant Accounts. The Department of Rural and Community Development are the lead department for this fund with Pobal taking on the role of fund administrator.

Applying for the Growing Social Enterprise Fund

The DAF Growing Social Enterprise Fund is through a competitive open call to provide investment capital to social enterprises to:

  • Conduct necessary repairs, maintenance, change of use or expansion works to their premises to support the sustainability of the enterprise. Confirmation of planning permission needs to be provided, if applicable.
  • Upgrading works to their premises to reduce overhead costs e.g. measures to reduce energy consumption. Confirmation of planning permission needs to be provided, if applicable. This funding could be in addition to the available retrofitting grants available through the SEAI.
  • Acquisition of equipment to sustain current levels of productivity.
  • Acquisition of equipment designed to increase current level of productivity.
  • Acquisition of advanced technology products.

This fund will see support provided to a wide regional spread of supported organisations, including those embedded in rural communities.

The call will be divided into two Strands:

  • Strand A: Small grants of between €1,500 – 15,000
  • Strand B: Larger grants from €15,001 to €100,000

Deadline: 5pm 20th September 2024

for more information and details on how to apply visit: https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/daf-growing-social-enterprise-fund/

Scroll to Top