National Social Enterprise Census

National Social Enterprise Census

ILDN WELCOMES GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT TO AWARD THE CONTRACT TO OPERATE NATIONAL SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CENSUS TO CONSORTIUM OF SERI, ILDN AND AMÁRACH CONSULTING.

The Irish Local Development Network the national body representing Ireland’s 49 Local Development Companies have today welcomed the decision by the Department of Rural and Community Development to award the contract to implement Ireland’s first National Social Enterprise Census to a consortium comprising SERI (Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland)  ILDN and Amárach Consulting

ILDN members have a network of over 80 social enterprise support officers nationwide who deliver a wide range of supports to social enterprises through the LEADER, SICAP, Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme and the Community Services Programme.

Welcoming the announcement, ILDN CEO Joe Saunders said; “the significant benefit for Irish communities and society generally is that, for the first time, we will get a comprehensive picture of the impact of the sector that will allow for more accurate planning and resourcing. The Social Enterprise sector is a huge contributor to economic well-being and social justice in this country and ILDN welcomes the opportunity to play a further role in developing its future.”

ILDN Chairperson, Jim Finn, commented that “the Minister for Rural and Community Development and her officials are to be commended for recognising the need for this pioneering Census and for ensuring the resources to operate it.”

The National Social Enterprise Census will be completed in the second half of 2022.

Sustainable Energy Communities Update

Sustainable Energy Communities Update

Sustainable Energy Communities Update

The MidWest SouthWest Community Energy Mentors are pleased to announce their calendar of events for the coming months.

  • SEC Information Clinics:   Information evening on Community Energy Supports – Wed 7th June, 7.30pm

    -Find out about funding and other supports for community energy projects big and small
    -Meet your Community Energy Mentor
    -Network with other Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC’s) & learn from each other
    -Find out how to register your community as an SEC
    -Guest speaker: Colm Garvey, Clare Community Energy Agency – project pathways

    This networking event at our CLDC Westgate offices, Kilrush Rd (V95 PXY3) is open to any community groups or any individual interested in becoming an SEC and/or applying for funding for a community energy project. To register for this session or to arrange a consultation, please email Lorraine at lpower@cldc.ie.

  • Community Energy Plan Workshop:  For those SEC groups in County Clare thinking about applying for a 100% SEAI-funded Community Energy Plan, we will be running a one-hour online information session on how to apply for and complete your Community Energy Plan.  Monday 21st February, 7.30pm

  • Solar PV talk: – everything you need to know about installing Solar PV in your home.  Facilitated online by Xavier Dubuisson, Energy Consultant.   Monday 21st March, 7.30pm

To register for any of the above events, click here close to the time of the event and you will then receive an invite link by email. Alternatively, you can email Lorraine directly to register, lpower@cldc.ie

We will continue to cover a wide range of topics and bring in knowledgeable and engaging speakers. If there is any topic that you would like discussed at future events, please get in touch with Lorraine.

To register your community as an SEC, visit www.seai.ie.  To visit our regional information hub, click here Contact Lorraine at lpower@cldc.ie or phone 087 798 0347.

Upcoming Business Training & Workshops

Upcoming Business Training & Workshops

Over the coming months we have some fantastic online workshops and training programmes, designed to support Businesses that are eligible for LEADER funding.

The suite of training available includes

  • ‘Effective Marketing Strategies for Business’,
  • ‘Facebook and Instagram for Business‘,
  • ‘Beyond 2021 – Adapting your Business’
  • ‘Building Resilience for Business Owners’
  • ‘Understanding Financials for Small Businesses’

Click here for full details with schedule of delivery dates and times

These courses are fully funded by CLDC’s LEADER programme and delivered by Blueprint Coaching.  There is no financial cost to you for participation.

This  training is for micro and small businesses that are eligible under the LEADER Rural Development Programme. (RDP).
National Social Enterprise Census

FREE Workshops for Social Enterprises

Managing Change: Strategic Planning & Income Diversification Workshop Series for Social Enterprises in the Mid-West

This January & February, North Tipperary Development Company and PAUL Partnership—in collaboration with Clare Local Development Company and Ballyhoura Development CLG—will deliver training workshops for Social Enterprises across the Mid-West.

NTDC’s Managing Change: Strategic Planning & Income Diversification workshop series will provide support to Social Enterprises in Strategic Planning and Income Diversification as well as reviewing your Business Model, Measuring and Communicating your Social Impact and looking at UN Sustainable Development Goals in relation to your Enterprise.  Customised follow up mentoring will be provided on these topics also.

Click HERE to register for Managing Change.

Paul Partnership’s DIGIWISE workshop series will support Social Enterprises in utilising Digital Innovation to adapt, maintain and grow their services in a way that contributes to long-term sustainability. It will provide training, mentoring and related support for up to 50 Social Enterprises in the Mid-West Region and in County Waterford.

Click HERE register for DIGIWISE.