Mayo social enterprise awarded funding and business supports
A Mayo social enterprise has been awarded funding and business supports by Rethink Ireland today under their Social Enterprise Development Fund.
The successful Mayo organisation is Moy Innovations CLG, a work integration social enterprise/charitable organisation that combats the imbalance in employment opportunities for people with additional needs, such as mental health or physical or intellectual disabilities in their community of Ballina, which has a high rate of unemployment. They provide employment opportunities, work experience, training, supports and social inclusion to their employees and work experience participants.
Rethink Ireland’s Social Enterprise Development Fund has awarded €400,000 to 16 projects around Ireland, while a further 18 projects have been awarded a place on the organisation’s Genesis Programme, which provides strategic business support to organisations. The Genesis Programme is an intensive two-day workshop that will focus on building the skills and knowledge needed to develop a sustainable social enterprise and to be successful in future funding opportunities.
Speaking at the announcement, the chief executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, said: “We would like to congratulate Moy Innovations CLG on their success in receiving a Social Enterprise Development Fund Award from Rethink Ireland.”
“Coming out of an extremely challenging period for Irish society – and Irish businesses – we’re delighted with this good news story for Mayo. Social enterprises have an important role to play in guiding Ireland to become a more inclusive and equal society.
“Organisations like Moy Innovations CLG are leading the charge by not only creating jobs but working towards bringing about positive social change.”
The Social Enterprise Development Fund is a €3.2 million fund being delivered between 2018 and 2022. The fund was created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with Local Authorities Ireland and funded by IPB Insurance and the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Rethink Ireland have also launched a new Start-Up Fund for social enterprises at the early stage of their development. The fund will award cash grants as well as strategic business support to awardees.
Rethink Ireland are encouraging early-stage social enterprises to apply for the fund to receive the support they need to grow and scale. For more information, visit https://rethinkireland.ie.