Clare’s Social Enterprises Unite with CLDC for Inspiration and Impact at 2025 Conference

Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) hosted the Clare Social Enterprise Network Conference 2025 on December 10th at The Inn at Dromoland, building on last year’s successful Expo. Funded by the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) programme under CLDC, the event aims to foster community-led innovation and positive change across County Clare.

This event gathers social enterprises at every stage—from startups to established ventures—for inspiration, networking, and collaboration with funders and support organisations.​

Event Highlights

Attendees enjoyed a keynote on social enterprise challenges and opportunities, lively panel discussions, and a purposeful networking lunch. An interactive workshop by John FitzSimons – The Human Connection Coach – explored how to communicate impact beyond traditional metrics.

The event also marked the exclusive launch of the Social Enterprise Directory Flipbook with member contacts.​

Giving social enterprises a stronger voice

Opening the conference, CLDC CEO Doirin Graham, CEO highlighted the growth of the network and the importance of stronger links between local social enterprises in County Clare.

“Since last year’s event, it is great to see so many new social enterprises adding to the numbers, and it is a really exciting time for everyone involved. The Directory is intended to give local social enterprises more options to connect, collaborate, and do business with one another beyond formal CLDC structures. By making it easier to see who is out there and what they offer, the Directory supports a more joined-up ecosystem for social enterprise in Clare.

Compiled by the team at CLDC, 73 enterprises listed within, with numerous other social enterprises within the county expected to be added to the publication, also available online, over time.

CLDC’s own social enterprise journey

Graham also shared how CLDC is taking a more hands-on role in social enterprise as part of its wider work on climate action and climate justice.

Over the past year, CLDC took over the former Irish Wheelchair Association charity shop in Ennis and relaunched it as the Circular Shop, an initiative focused on reuse, sustainability, and community benefit.

“12 months ago, CLDC were working on our plan on climate action and justice and we started to realise the possibility of ourselves directly taking on a social enterprise. The Circular Shop is our initial direct foray into social enterprise, which we hope to develop further over the next few years. We are also looking at our own procurement practices – encouraging a shift towards procuring services and supports and supplies from social enterprises rather than traditional lowest cost bases -changing approaches like that will support your own social enterprise to grow.”

Building connections and next steps

The event was further energised by the contribution of John Fitzsimons, The Human Connection Coach, whose exercises on the day helped participants build new connections, reflect on their purpose, and align their day-to-day work with the event theme of “Clarity beyond the numbers.”

Feedback during and after the session highlighted the value of having structured time to connect with peers facing similar challenges and opportunities.

CLDC oversees the delivery of the LEADER programme in Clare, with a dedicated strand supporting and advising local social enterprises on development, governance, and growth.

To explore supports and possibilities for your own social enterprise, visit the LEADER page at cldc.ie/leader and check out upcoming social enterprise training and events at claresocialenterprises.ie.