What is Social Enterprise?
A social enterprise is an enterprise:
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 provision of goods and/or services, and by reinvesting surpluses into achieving social objectives.
It is governed in a fully accountable and transparent manner and is independent of the public sector. If dissolved, it should transfer its assets to another organisation with a similar mission.
National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022,
Department of Rural and Community Development, July 2019
Supports for Social Enterprises
We provide supports to new and existing social enterprises including:
- One-to–one mentoring support for start-up and growing your social enterprise
- Training especially designated for social enterprises
- Limited grants for specific funding needs
- Networking opportunities for social enterprises
- Resources on best practices for social enterprises
Social enterprises supported under SICAP must provide services to SICAP target groups / in disadvantaged communities or provide training, employment or volunteering opportunities for SICAP target groups.
SICAP Target Groups: Disadvantaged Children & Families; Disadvantaged Young People; Disadvantaged Women; Lone Parents; Low Income Workers/Households; New Communities; People Living in Disadvantaged Communities; People with Disabilities; Roma, Travellers; People Disengaged from the Labour Market and the long term Unemployed.
The Galway Artisan Workshop is a social enterprise that:
- Houses the Social Enterprise Hub with desks, computer and WiFi available for start-up and expanding social enterprises. They also receive ongoing mentoring support.
- Has a focus on upcycling and reducing waste going to landfill.
- Shares space and skills with other groups that also have a social enterprise ethos.
- Produces items for sale to the public.
For more information see: galwayartisanworkshop.com
