Social Enterprise Capital Grants Scheme
Dormant Accounts Funded
Social Enterprise Capital Grants Scheme 2021
The Social Enterprise Capital Grants Scheme 2021 is one initiative being taken by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland. This scheme aims to support social enterprises and is complementary to other supports provided by the Department. It is a funding scheme that will provide social enterprises with small capital grants and is one of a number of schemes being funded from the Social Enterprise Measure of the Dormant Accounts Fund in 2021.
The scheme is being co-ordinated by the Department of Rural and Community Development, but administered locally by the network of Local Community & Development Committees (LCDCs).
Applicants will be required to confirm that their organisation meets the definition of a social enterprise as set out in the National Policy, however, LCDCs should satisfy themselves that any recommended projects are from social enterprises.
The National Social Enterprise Policy 2019 – 2022 defines social enterprise as follows:
A Social Enterprise is an enterprise whose objective is to achieve a social, societal or environmental impact, rather than maximising profit for its owners or shareholders. It pursues its objectives by trading on an ongoing basis through the provisionof goods and/or services, and by reinvesting surpluses into achieving social objectives. It is governed in a fully accountable and transparent manner and is independentof the public sector. If dissolved, it should transfer its assets to anotherorganisation with a similar mission. |
Under this Social Enterprise Small Capital Grants Scheme 2021, grants will be provided to social enterprises towards small scale capital projects. Capital costs incurred by social enterprises for the purchase of equipment are eligible. Repairs and refurbishment of existing facilities can also be funded.
The scheme does not provide funding for operating costs (e.g. the employment of staff, electricity costs, heating costs, etc.) or administrative costs. It should also be noted that expenditure incurred before the date of grant approval will not be eligible for funding.
It is anticipated that the small scale nature of the grants under this scheme will particularly benefit smaller or start-up social enterprises which do not necessarily have the capacity to compete for larger grants, but which nonetheless have a need for upgraded/additional equipment to help them to deliver their services.
The Department of Rural and Community Development awarded five Social Enterprises funding under this scheme, details of the grant awards can be viewed here - SECGS 2021 Approved List.pdf
All enquiries in relation to the Social Enterprise Capital Grants Scheme 2021 can be directed by email to LCDC@longfordcoco.ie or by telephone to 043 3343307 / 3343456 / 3343472.
For further details please see National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 and Press Release Minister Humphreys.
