Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces €500,000 Awareness Raising Initiative for Social Enterprise (ARISE) Scheme 2021

  • Scheme to increase awareness of social enterprises and their positive impact

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today announced a new €500,000 initiative designed to raise awareness of the positive role played by Social Enterprises.

The Awareness Raising Initiative for Social Enterprise (ARISE) Scheme 2021 will provide grants to Social Enterprises to promote their role in communities across the country.

The Fund is another example of how Our Rural Future – the Government’s five year rural development strategy – is making a positive impact in rural towns and villages.

Making the announcement today, Minister Humphreys said:

“I am delighted to be in a position today to announce the launch of the €500,000 ARISE Scheme.

“This scheme will help promote the essential role played by Social Enterprises the length and breadth of the country.

“Throughout COVID-19, the value and worth of Social Enterprises within communities has risen considerable.

“This fund is about helping our Social Enterprises to grow and is a key part of both of the Government’s National Social Enterprise Policy and the five year Rural Development Strategy, ‘Our Rural Future’.”

The ARISE scheme, which is provided through the Dormant Accounts Fund, will be delivered in two strands.

Strand One will provide grants of up to €10,000 to Social Enterprises to highlight how their work is improving the lives of our citizens.

Strand Two will provide grants of up to €50,000 to Social Enterprise networks and support organisations to deliver more general or sectoral messages on what Social Enterprises are, as well as their potential to deliver sustainable and inclusive development and recovery.

Minister Humphreys added:

“The supports I am announcing today will help the Social Enterprise sector to raise awareness of the vital role that Social Enterprises play in contributing to a sustainable and inclusive recovery. My Department will continue to work towards supporting the role of social enterprises, as set out in the National Social Enterprise Policy.”

Further information on the initiative and details of how to apply can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/news/4ddaf-awareness-raising-initiatives-for-social-enterprise-arise-scheme-2021/