Applicants sought for new €250k social enterprise fund

A NEW €250,000 social enterprise fund has been launched in South Dublin County – and is seeking applications from enterprises and entrepreneurs, focused on making a social impact in the community.

The ‘open’ fund has been announced by Clondalkin based Oakfield Trust and is to the value of €50,000 per annum for five years.

The fund will be released in two phases of €25,000 during each year, with the first application window open from March 30 until May 12.

Oakfield Trust is a Clondalkin based social enterprise and registered charity which has been successfully supporting community organisations and social enterprises in the locality for 26 years.

During that time it has provided a range of property-based supports to a number of projects in the Clondalkin area including, feasibility studies, start-up grants, business development supports, project loans, project management and capacity development.

Applications for the fund will particularly be encouraged from the Clondalkin and South Dublin County areas, but projects which reach outside the locality or nationwide will also be considered.

Oakfield Trust Chairperson Aileen O’Donoghue said: “We are committed to the social enterprise model of community development and want to play as strong a role as we can not just locally, but nationally.”

More information on eligibility, criteria and the application process are available at www.oakfieldtrust.ie

Meanwhile, Oakfield Trust is also hosting an international social enterprise conference on Wednesday, May 24 at the Wood Quay Venue in central Dublin from 9.45am to 1pm.

Registration is available on eventbrite HERE , or via the Oakfield Trust HERE. 

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