Longford Community Resources CLG are inviting applications from local social enterprises for the Small Capital Grants Scheme, announced this week by Mr Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development.

The scheme will provide grants of between €2,000 and €15,000 for equipment, repairs or refurbishments which will enable social enterprises to improve their service.

The scheme is an initiative under the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2018-2022, which the Minister published in July, and will be administered through the Local Development Companies.

CEO of Longford Community Resources CLG, Adrian Greene said “Along with all Local Development Companies throughout Ireland, our staff have been supporting social enterprises through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, LEADER and other programmes for many years and this new fund will give the sector a significant boost, particularly by assisting early stage projects that have huge capacity for positive social impact.”

Announcing the scheme, Minister Ring said:

“One of the main objectives of the National Social Enterprise Policy, which I launched in July, is to grow and strengthen social enterprises. The new small capital grants scheme will support over 100 social enterprises through funding of €1 million from the Dormant Accounts Fund. It will provide grants of between €2,000 and €15,000 to enable social enterprises to make small equipment purchases, or to carry out refurbishments to their premises to help them to improve their service delivery.

“The scheme will be of particular interest to smaller or start-up social enterprises which do not necessarily have the capacity to compete for larger grants.”

The Minister continued:

“I am pleased that the Local Development Companies have agreed to partner with my Department to deliver this scheme. The Local Development Companies provide grassroots support to social enterprises all around the country and are well placed to administer the fund.

“Today’s announcement follows on from a call for proposals for Training and Mentoring of social enterprises which I launched recently and is another important step in the implementation of the National Social Enterprise Policy.”

Full details of the Small Capital Grants Scheme for Social Enterprises, including Applications Forms and Guidelines, are available by contacting Longford Community Resources CLG by phone at 043-3345555 or by email enquiries@lcrl.ie. Application Forms and Guidelines are also available on the Department of Rural and Community Development’s website. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/9c56eb-small-capital-grants-scheme-for-social-enterprises/

All applications must be received by Longford Community Resources CLG by 3pm on Monday, November 11th. Whilst Longford Community Resources CLG will administer the fund, all decisions on grant awards will be made by the Department of Rural & Community Development. It is expected that applicants will be notified of the results of their application by the Department of Rural and Community Development by December 11^th.

The country’s 49 Local Development Companies are the primary support network for the social enterprises in Ireland with over 40 staff working with the sector nationwide. Longford Community Resources CLG will provide assistance with the application process to any group that wishes to apply.

Earlier this year Minister Michael Ring of the Department of Rural and Community Development launched the very first National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019 – 2022.

The policy defined a social enterprise as one 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.

For further information, contact Longford Community Resources CLG at 043-3345555 or email: enquiries@lcrl.ie

Are you hoping to progress to Third Level Education in September? Are you from a welfare dependent family? Are you having difficulty in getting money together to pay registration fees and the deposit for accommodation?

Longford Community Resources CLG is very aware of these difficulties and has made available a 3rd Level Education Loan Scheme to assist students from welfare dependent families to access third level education.

The money can be paid back by affordable monthly repayments out of your maintenance grant when it comes through. In this way, the fund revolves and is available to other students annually.

If you are from a welfare dependent family and will qualify for a Special Rate Maintenance Grant from SUSI, you could be eligible to apply to LCRL for this interest free loan.

For further information contact Frances Kennedy on 043-3345555 or 086-3425367 or email fkennedy@lcrl.ie. Please note closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 5pm on Friday 31st August 2019.