Social Enterprise Supports

Southside Partnership DLR specialises in providing support to the founders / owners of pre-start-up and early start up social enterprises, while also working with developing and established organisations.

There are a wide range of social enterprises in Ireland and many organisations in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown already operate under this model in sectors including transport, media, sports / recreation and the arts to name just a few.

OUR AIMS

  • to raise awareness and encourage local community leaders and private individuals to explore setting up a social enterprise
  • to support the development and growth of a social enterprise culture in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown

WHAT IS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE:

A Social Enterprise is an enterprise whose objective is to achieve a social, societal or environmental impact, rather than maximising profit for its owners of 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. It is governed in a fully accountable and transparent manner and is independent of the public sector. If dissolved, it should transfer its assets to another organisation with a similar mission.

WHAT WE DO

We provide business and practical skills support, while also developing owner confidence and personal skills. We do this through:

  • Mentoring
  • Training (workshops + short training programmes)
  • Information
  • Networking opportunities
  • Referrals to additional services

Our staff have over 20 years experience working in the non profit sector and, specifically, supporting social enterprises and charities with a trading aspect to their work. Contact us with any questions, and for more information about how we can help you 

SICAP Case Study 2022: Social Enterprise Programme

If you are interested in finding out more about Social Enterprise

Helena O'Neill

Social Enterprise Development

Email: helena.oneill@sspship.ie

Phone: 01 70 60 100 / 087 672 8670  

Social Enterprises
in DLR

Social Enterprises
in DLR

Useful links & resources
for social enterprises

Useful links & resources
for social enterprises

SEED (Social Enterprise Expansion & Development) Project

Southside Partnership DLR has been the lead partner in providing supports to local social enterprises in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown under our SEED programmes. The SEED programmes are supported by a committed and passionate management team, highly skilled trainers, facilitators, and mentors, with support from many colleagues and practitioners in the social enterprise sector. Funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund and supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the ILDN, the SEED programmes continue to build a vibrant social enterprise community of extraordinary organisations and individuals.  

The SEED (1) Training and Mentoring Programme ran throughout the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significantly challenging time for social enterprises. A collaboration between SSP DLR and Bray Area Partnership, the SEED 1 Programme supported 34 social enterprises and social entrepreneurs. We ran 17 workshops, provided 190 hours of mentoring, created DLR’s first social enterprise network, and produced 10 promotional videos for participants.

The SEED (2) Regeneration Programme, completed in May 2022, expanded to include South Dublin County Partnership and Waterford Area Partnership bringing the number of participants to 58 benefitting from a further 30 workshops focusing on Strategic Planning, Communications, and Boards of Management / Governance. For the first time we also offered an Introduction to Sustainability workshop, a session on wellness, avoiding burnout and minding mental health, and an Introduction to Social Enterprise for Migrant Women. There have been almost 280 hours of mentoring, 4 networking sessions and an additional 13 promotional videos.

We look forward to the continued work ahead of us in supporting our social enterprises and entrepreneurs and to continue to build awareness and understanding of this sector who support the most vulnerable people and communities in DLR.