- 42 social enterprises will receive funding of between €15,000 and €100,000.
- 83 social enterprises will receive funding of between €1,500 and €15,000.
- Investments made through the Growing Social Enterprise Scheme supported by the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary,TD, and the Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Jerry Buttimer, TD, today (Tuesday 20th May, 2025) jointly announced a €4 million investment to support social enterprises nationwide.
The purpose of the fund is to provide capital grant supports to assist social enterprises across Ireland to achieve their social, environmental or economic objectives. The funding provided will be used for building works, repairs, refurbishments, or for the purchase of new machinery, vehicles or equipment.
Examples of the Social Enterprises to benefit under the scheme include:
- The Linenhall Arts Centre CLG – €96,989: To fund a range of upgrades and improvements including increased accessibility and installing a new box office, projector and screen.
- Galway Traveller Group (Trading as Bounceback Recycling) – €90,357: To fund the purchase of high capacity equipment and transport machinery to expand this organisation’s production capacity and demand for services.
- Creeslough Community Association CLG – €12,471: To fund an access ramp, chairs, folding tables, kitchenette, interactive screen, blinds and CCTV and the development of a website to support growth.
- Benchspace Cork CLG – €78,187: To fund digital manufacturing equipment for Benchspace’s residential makers and their training offering, which will increase accessibility, numbers of people supported and income.
- Carmichael Centre For Voluntary Groups – €11,418: To fund new updated audio equipment, to enable the organisation to branch into new events within the community.
- Vantastic CLG – €74,573: To fund the purchase of two wheelchair-accessible cars for rental services, providing accessible transport services to people with mobility difficulties or disabilities.
Announcing the allocations, Minister Calleary said:
“I am delighted to confirm today that 125 social enterprises will benefit under the DAF Growing Social Enterprise Fund. This funding will directly enable social enterprises to develop and expand the vital services that they provide in communities all across Ireland.”
Also announcing the funding today, Minister Buttimer said:
“It gives me great pleasure to announce this funding which will directly benefit 125 organisations around the country. The social enterprise sector in Ireland continues to grow and is playing an increasingly important role in the social and economic life of this country. By announcing this funding here today, we are continuing to build on and grow this momentum.”
For more information, and the full list of funding awards, visit: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development/press-releases/trading-for-impact-ministers-calleary-and-buttimer-announce-4-million-investment-to-support-social-enterprises/