A new initiative designed to unite local social enterprise networks with the aim of sharing business support thoughts has been established.
At a recent county chat, Pamela, a social entrepreneur was looking for a grant to open a shop which would be run by people with disabilities, but the application process was lengthy, and the paperwork was time consuming.
She attended a County Chat where social enterprises come together, share ideas and experiences, and sometimes figure out how they can help each other, or even collaborate on joint objectives. She found that others had completed the same application successfully and were more than willing to help.
Social Enterprise Exchange (SEE ) is part of the Just Transition Fund, which was established in the Midlands to support communities transitioning to a low carbon economy. The objective of the Fund is to facilitate innovative enterprises that contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the Midlands (including Westmeath, East Galway, Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Roscommon ) and have significant employment and enterprise potential.
Social Enterprise Exchange allows these enterprises to network with each other by hosting County Chats each month. More than that, SEE is creating a map of all of the Social Enterprises in our region. Over the coming months, their website https://www.socialenterpriseexchange.ie, will show where all the Social Enterprises are, what they do, how many people they employ and how to get in touch with them. They will spotlight examples of Social Enterprises in each county.
Most social enterprises are small. Sometimes it is just one person working on their own. These are the unsung heroes of our communities. But a huge amount of work goes on in the background for any social enterprise to work effectively. Social Enterprises are the backbone of our communities. The number of people they employ is in incalculable, but they provide a community service, and some social enterprises cater for the most vulnerable in our society.
Future County Chats
The Longford County Chat will be held at Co worx, Edgeworthstown on Tuesday, August 23, from 10.30am to 12pm
The Westmeath County Chat will be held at S.w.e.e.t.s., Kilbeggan on Wednesday, August 24, from 10.30am to 12pm
The Offaly County Chat will be held at Ballycommon Training Centre, Tullamore on Thursday 25th August from 10.30 to 12.00
Conference
On September 29, SEE will host the first regional conference, ‘Creating Shared Value’, in the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone (itself a fine example of a Social Enterprise ).
Social Enterprises and stakeholders will be invited to attend. If you are interested, email [email protected], and follow on LinkedIn or twitter @SocEnterprExcg.
