Does our project qualify for funding?
Social enterprises can and are encouraged to make applications to the LEADER Rural Development programme. Social enterprises can make applications under the Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation Theme, the Social Inclusion theme and the Rural Environment Theme.
What are Social Enterprises?
- Social Enterprises are organisations or businesses set up to tackle social, economic or environmental issues.
- Driven primarily by social and/or environmental motives, they engage in trading or commercial activities to pursue these objectives and produce social and community gain.
- Profits or surpluses generated by the enterprise are reinvested to further their social objectives.
- Ownership of the enterprise is within a community, or amongst people with a shared interest.
- Social enterprises have a strong job creation focus to help local people and communities.
- Social Enterprises are committed to social justice and social inclusion.
Do you meet the criteria?
- Must be located within the boundaries of the operational area. Please find map HERE
- Must be compliant with the Local Development Strategy. View the Local Development Strategy here
- An application must fit with one or more of the themes to be eligible. Find out more about the themes here
- There is no alternative source of funding available.
- Capacity to deliver the project has to be demonstrated.
- Evidence of proposed matching funding.
Grant rates
The grant rates that Social Enterprises can apply for is up to a maximum of 75% this is at the discretion of the LAG. A grant rate of up to 90% can be applied for in relation to Analysis and Development projects. Again this is at the discretion of the LAG. Finally Social Enterprises can apply for up to 100% for training projects.
Eligible projects
The LEADER Rural Development Programme is split into three themes that reflect the overarching needs of rural Ireland. An application must fit with one or more of the themes to be eligible. The themes reflect the key challenges facing rural Ireland, with regard to economic recovery, employment creation, tackling social exclusion and reducing the impact of global warming and resource depletion. Each theme contains a number of sub-themes, which are considered the key areas in need of the greatest support and have the greatest potential to promote the sustainable development of rural communities.
