Get Social Dublin
Invest in your Community

Social Enterprise Dublin is a consortium of seven local development companies that came together to offer a range of training and mentoring supports to social enterprise organizations in the Dublin area.

FIND OUT MORE

ABOUT US

We aim to provide top quality support to Social Enterprise in the Dublin area so they can start, grow and increase their impact on the local communities.

In Autumn 2019, six well established Dublin based organisations identified that by working together, they could deliver a superior quality of support to Social Enterprises in the region. In 2021 a seventh organisation joined the consortium. They share a common philosophy and approach to their work.

Each consortium member has existing relationships with trading Social Enterprises and a range of experience delivering Social Enterprise supports prior to this programme. They prioritise local needs and use community development methods to support social enterprise activity in their areas.

This consortium initially worked under the name Social Enterprise Community of practice or SE Cop but rebranded to Social Enterprise Dublin in 2022.

We help start ups and established social enterprises by providing them with training, mentoring and support to help them flourish.

How we can help:

Social Enterprise Events

Training Workshops

Networking

Grant & Finance Information

Mentoring

Strategic Pillars

The programme offers structured training to social enterprise promoters, as well as their staff teams and board members. In tandem with the training, social enterprises can avail of one to one mentoring with industry experts in a range of business areas.

The programme also offers an excellent opportunity for social enterprise organisations to build a strong network of support and work together in partnerships with each other.

Social Enterprise Dublin is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Dormant Accounts Fund.

TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

The programme offers support under 4 key pillars:

Strategic Planning/
Income Diversification
Digital
Innovation
Capacity
Building
Governance
Support

Our Social Enterprises

Here are the stories of the brilliant businesses we work with to help them grow and deliver positive impact into the local communities they serve.

Dignity

Aqua Homes Ireland HQ

Connections Arts Centre

Cherry Orchard Equine Centre

Aspire

Cherry Orchard Garden Centre

Doras Buí

F2 Arch Cafe

Frontline

Little Fitness

PACE

Park HIIT

Pocket Forests

#GetSocialDublin
Invest in your Community

FIND OUT HOW

Who is involved in this Programme?

There are seven local development companies based in the Dublin region who came together to design and deliver the SE-Cop programme. They are:

What People Say

Expert Guides & Templates

We want to give you access to quality content that you can use immediately in your social enterprise. Our templates are designed by marketing expert Muireann Fitzmaurice to give you frameworks that you can use to design really great content and marketing structures within your social business.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS FOR OUR CLIENTS

What do I get?

Our templates cover a wide range of areas from marketing to business planning. Here is a sample of our content:

  • How to write a PR release
  • How to write a PR brief
  • How to write a Website Brief
  • How to write a Podcast Script
GET ACCESS

What is a social enterprise and why does it matter?

Social enterprise operates like any other business in that it produces goods and services for which the customer pays. The defining difference is that it invests all profits back into achieving its social objectives rather than going to shareholders, as in the case of most businesses.

To date, Social Enterprise Dublin have delivered 690 cumulative Training hours and over 2000 hours of one to one mentorship to over 90 enterprises across the partnerships that are based across the city to help support them to increase their reach and impact.

The social enterprises have created employment and opportunities for those most marginalised from the workforce and are transforming communities by addressing issues such as food poverty, social housing and environmental matters. When you support a social enterprise, YOU too are helping to positively impact the world.

FAQs

What is a Social Enterprise?

A social enterprise is a business that uses its profits to improve the lives of people and create positive change in the community.

What makes a Social Enterprise unique?

Social enterprise operates like any other business in that it produces goods and services for which the customer pays. The defining difference is that it invests all profits back into achieving its social objectives rather than going to shareholders, as in the case of most businesses. A social enterprise creates employment and opportunities for those most marginalised from the workforce, transforming communities and addressing issues such as food poverty, social housing, or environmental matters.

What is the difference between a Social Enterprise and a charity/not for profit and a business?

Social Enterprises sit in between charities and traditional business. They focus on selling a particular product or service rather than fundraising or relying on donations. They are a business that is focused on making a profit however all profits are reinvested in the community rather than to shareholders or investors.

What are some key benefits Social Enterprises deliver?

Social enterprises sustain jobs and communities all over Ireland. Social enterprises are professionally run enterprises, willing and able to deliver on a range of social and economic requirements. They are entrepreneurial, innovative and impactful. They improve the lives of people and are established to address significant societal challenges. Many social enterprises work with government and local authorities in the delivery of services, across sectors such as health, wellbeing and social services.

What value do Social Enterprises bring to our economy?

Further updated research by the state is required to qualify the overall value of social enterprises in Ireland. It is expected this issue will be resolved as a result of the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 and the upcoming census. Previous data from Government agency Forfás (2013) estimated social enterprise in Ireland to offer approximately 25,000-35,000 jobs and to contribute over €1.4 billion to the Irish economy. Social enterprise accounts for about 6% of GDP across the EU and an estimated 3% in Ireland.

If Ireland’s social enterprise sector were to approach mean EU levels of output, it is estimated that there would be approximately 65,000 jobs in social enterprises. This figure could grow to as much as 100,000 jobs if Ireland achieved the 9% goal set by the EU under the ‘Europe 2020’ Strategy (CPA Ireland Social Enterprise, The Irish and International Landscapes, July 2018).

What is Social Enterprise Dublin?

Social Enterprise Dublin are supporting and building capacity for social enterprises that are creating employment for those marginalised in society, driving social inclusion and education, and bringing about real change across all communities in Dublin.

Social Enterprise Dublin, established in 2019 and funded by the Government’s Dormant Accounts Fund, is a network of seven local development companies who work together to offer a range of training and mentoring supports to social enterprises in Dublin. To date, Social Enterprise Dublin have delivered 690 cumulative Training hours and over 2000 hours of one to one mentorship to over 90 enterprises.

Who are the members of Social Enterprise Dublin?

Members of Social Enterprise Dublin are Dublin South City Partnership, Northside Partnership, Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership, Dublin North West Partnership, Empower Local Development Company, Dublin Inner City Community Co-Operative and Fingal LEADER Partnership.

How many Social Enterprises are located in Dublin City and what have they delivered?

Social Enterprise Dublin have assisted 93 individual social enterprises to date across its member areas which include Dublin’s South and Northwest, Dublin City, Blanchardstown, Chapelizod, Ballyfermot, Blanchardstown and Fingal. Since 2019, Social Enterprises in Dublin are estimated to have generated €9.3 million in turnover, employing 651 people (an average of 7 per Social Enterprise). They also have the support of 930 volunteers, an average of 10 per Social Enterprise.

What are some examples of Social Enterprises in Dublin? What type of businesses are they?

Social Enterprises in Dublin address a wide range of societal issues. The main themes include Environment & Climate Change, Diversity & Inclusion, Addiction & Probation and Migrants & Direct Provision. The businesses offer a range of services and products from coffee shops to audio visual agencies to arts and sustainable fashion groups to bike shops. They are part of the community and for the benefit of the community.

What difference have Social Enterprises made to Dublin?

Social Enterprises offer a wide range of financial and societal benefits to our economy. The true value is seen at the community level. Dublin has suffered from numerous social issues over the years from homelessness, high levels of drug dealing and addiction to litter blackspots to a lack of amenities for communities to socialise, exercise and express their creativity.

Social Enterprises in Dublin are invaluable to instigating real change particularly in underprivileged areas. For example – They have created employment and opportunities to people on probation, who are recovering from addiction or the long term unemployed. – They have addressed the lack of green spaces in the city, planting trees and developing allotments in built up urban areas for the benefit of the community. – They have offered training and opportunities to people living with disabilities, so they can achieve their full potential. – They have assisted children and older people to stay healthy and socialise through exercise programmes and events.

Most of all they have developed a strong sense of community inspiring others to play their part and make a difference to the lives of others.

Why should I find out more about Social Enterprise?

Social enterprise is a growing and dynamic part of Irish social and economic life. It is a sector that appeals to people who want to run a meaningful business that makes a real difference in their community, now and for future generations. It is an exciting sector to be part of and is open to new ideas and further engagement from all those with an interest in utilising this model to respond to societal challenges.

The government has published the first ever National Policy on Social Enterprise 2019-2022 to assist in harnessing the full potential of this sector. Social Enterprise Dublin have launched a creative and targeted promotional campaign to build awareness for the role, significance and potential of social enterprise. Social enterprises are calling out for partners and for support from the public to grow their businesses to continue to deliver positive changes to their communities and wider society.

Why should a corporation invest in a Social Enterprise?

Social Enterprise is a growing sector in Ireland and across the EU. It is particularly aligned to a younger audience who want to make a real difference in business. It is a viable business with a working Board that works towards making a profit for its social objectives. There is an untapped opportunity in Ireland for corporations and social enterprises to work together to achieve both business and social impact goals. It is governed in a fully accountable and transparent manner and is independent of the public sector.

Investing in a social enterprise that fits your mission and values will align you with positive outcomes for the community, boosting your own credibility and dedication to authentic corporate social responsibility. According to CPA Ireland’s report on social enterprise in Ireland 2018, Social Enterprise accounts for 3% of GDP in Ireland in comparison to 4%-7% across the EU. If Ireland could grow this sector to 9%, 100,000 jobs could be created. (CPA Ireland Social Enterprise, The Irish and International Landscapes, July 2018) Social Enterprise is an exciting sector to be involved in. It is constantly evolving addressing social deficits or market needs. Similar to start-up’s, these businesses need expert guidance and support to thrive.

According to Deloitte Consulting, corporate CEOs consider their organisation’s “impact on society,” including income inequality, diversity, and the environment, as their primary measure of success. Social enterprises are effective partners to assist corporations to achieve their environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. Customers expect all businesses to act responsibly and to give back in an authentic way to their environment or relevant causes. Social Enterprises offer private enterprises the opportunity to invest in a meaningful way. It is a sector that is important to the Government.

Why should policymakers encourage investment in a Social Enterprise?

Social enterprises are proven to play an important role in addressing social, economic and environmental challenges. Social enterprises foster inclusive growth, increasing social cohesion, nurturing local social capital, supporting democratic participation and delivering good quality services. They are resilient as proved by their retention and creation of jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic and previous challenging financial periods.

The benefits of social enterprises to the overall economy and society are numerous and far reaching. Supporting social enterprises in public policies will drive growth creating more employment and positive societal changes in the years ahead. Social enterprises work hand in glove with traditional business and charities to address fundamental challenges faced by our society including housing, employment, sustainability and integration.

Supporting social enterprises through public policy aids the state to overcome and address societal challenges and empowers communities to get involved in changing society for the better.

Let’s get in touch

"*" indicates required fields