RISE awards five grants to Mayo community groups

Four community groups and a charity in Mayo have received a quick cash injection to invest in new technology thanks to the RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and Granahan McCourt.

Established by Granahan McCourt and NBI Chairman, David McCourt, RISE is providing monthly grants across the country for rural community organisations seeking to boost their digital ecosystems.

Receiving the grants of €1,000 each were the Urlaur Pattern & Family Fun Day Committee, which has plans to purchase computer equipment to deliver basic skills courses to elderly residents; the FACT Social Club Foxford Alzheimers & Community Trust, seeking to use mobile apps and online services to improve cognitive stimuli; the Achill Experience Aquarium and Visitors Centre, which is converting its history boards into audio files to increase accessibility; the Balla Community Resource Centre, with plans to develop a digital hub and remote working space; and Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiac and Stroke Foundation, which is investing in digital resources for stroke survivors.

David McCourt, founder of RISE and Chairman of Granahan McCourt and NBI, commented: “When we launched the RISE Community Fund, we were looking for community groups, charities, small businesses and social enterprises in rural areas who were exploring how technology could scale the impact of their work. I’m delighted to say that since opening applications in Mayo, the response has been incredible and now we’re excited to be awarding grants to our five successful applicants. Each one of them is an inspiration, with many volunteering their time and committing a huge amount of energy and passion to bring pride of place to their local community.”

The RISE Community Fund supported by NBI and Granahan McCourt calls on small businesses, charities, community groups and social enterprises to use technology in creative and entrepreneurial ways to deliver maximum impact.

Laura Walsh, Community Stroke Support Specialist from Croí commented: “Digital enhancement is at the heart of everything we do at Croí, and we’d like to thank the RISE Community Fund in conjunction with NBI and Granahan McCourt for this opportunity. It will go a long way for the stroke survivors that we work with.”

Peter Hendrick, CEO of NBI, added: “At NBI, we’re on a mission to connect over 1.1 million people in rural Ireland who don’t have access to high-speed broadband to a world-class, superfast network. Whilst connectivity is a vital utility and a critical first step, it alone can’t solve all of the challenges for businesses, community groups and social enterprises trying to expand the positive impact they’re able to have – both to the local community, and to the wider economy. That’s why we’re incredibly excited to engage local communities with the RISE Community Fund and celebrate innovative uses of technology in Mayo.”