New €2m Dormant Accounts funded Growing Social Enterprise fund is now open for applications.
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.
About the Fund:
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.
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
How to Apply?
Applicants are required to complete a short application form and submit through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF Portal) here Home (pobal.ie)
Please refer to the Application Guidelines in the resources section below prior to completing your Application Form.
The closing date for applications is 5p.m. on 20 September 2024. Applications will not be accepted after this date.
Further Information & Support
- Watch this online Pre-Application Support video for both Strand A & Strand B applicants.
- An Application Clinic will take place on Thursday, 12 September from 11am – 1pm. This webinar will provide further information and supports to social enterprises applying for either Strand A or Strand B. Click here to register for this event.
- Read more in the Department of Rural and Community Development’s DAF Growing Social Enterprise Fund Launch press release here.