Start a Social Enterprise Business Course 2024 (Autumn course)
07/10/2024
This fund is now closed for applications.
Deadline for applications is now extended to : 1pm, Monday 7th October 2024
Rethink Ireland is delighted to offer places on its Start a Social Enterprise Business Autumn Course, now running for its third consecutive year. In partnership with IPB Insurance and the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund, Rethink Ireland will be inviting you to participate in this one of a kind, Start a Social Enterprise Business Course, as well as the chance to take your idea to the next level once the course is complete.
A key strategic objective for Rethink Ireland is to support social enterprises to grow, scale their operations, and deepen their social impact. We do this for social enterprises at all stages of growth. This course represents an innovative approach to developing and supporting grassroots social enterprise ideas in Ireland. It takes the social innovator’s emerging idea and gives them the tools to take it to the next stage. It is the launchpad and, importantly, a pathway to additional support. In turn, it supports a new generation of social enterprises to deliver social impact, create jobs, and tackle societal challenges.
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What is a Social Enterprise?
Social enterprises are organisations whose mission is to have a positive effect on society. They generate revenue through their products or services and reinvest their profits back into their social mission.
Social enterprises are innovating every day by inventing and developing solutions to Ireland’s most pressing social issues. They are creating jobs, supporting members of marginalised communities, and fostering community development. We believe there is a need to champion and invest in these social enterprises to allow them to expand their impact and spread their solutions throughout the country.
What does the course offer?
The Start a Social Enterprise Business Course is a FREE six-week course that covers the key areas to support you as you start your own successful social enterprise. This includes:
- Six online workshops and one in-person event
- Access to a network of aspiring social enterprise founders
- A workbook that supports you to build strong foundations for your social enterprise
- The chance to apply for a bespoke Accelerator programme with business and financial supports.
The course uses specialist training in business skills and social impact to achieve the following:
- Increase the knowledge of the steps to starting a social enterprise
- Provide a clear pathway to the development of a social enterprise
- Build the skills of participants to support them in taking their idea to the next level
- Support the growth of the social economy in Ireland
- Increase the sustainability of start-up social enterprises
- Provide a potential route for participants onto other funds
- Raise awareness among innovators of the benefits of the social economy
- Become part of a network of start-up social enterprises
Where and when will the course take place?
The course will be held online over six mornings plus one in-person day for up to fifty participants. The first day of the course will be Wednesday 23rd of October 2024. The sessions will run from 10 am until 1 pm with different industry experts each week. There will be an optional 30 minutes at the end of each session for participants and the Rethink team to discuss the content of the day and answer any additional questions or queries. The in-person day will take place at the end of the course, and will involve networking, workshops, and the chance for the group to connect in person.
- Wednesday October 23rd from 10:30am – 1:00pm (online)
- Wednesday October 30th from 10:30am – 1:00pm (online)
- Wednesday November 6th from 10:30am – 1:00pm (online)
- Wednesday November 13th from 10:30am – 1:00pm (online)
- Thursday November 21st from 10:30am – 1:00pm (online)
- Wednesday November 27th from 10:30am – 1:00pm (online)
- Thursday December 5th from 10:30am – 3:30pm (In person Dublin Venue TBC)
APPLY
This fund is now closed for applications.
Applications are open from Monday 16th September until 1pm, Monday 7th October 2024.
Please contact businesscourse@rethinkireland.ie should you require further information.
Who can apply?
This course will support an emerging social enterprise idea and give the participants the tools to take it to the next stage of development. The course will be aimed at:
- Idea stage social enterprises (All you need is an idea. Testing and building on your idea will be part of the course work)
- Unincorporated individuals or groups undertaking work at a local level.
- Staff within organisations who want to explore the establishment of a social enterprise within their organisation.
Please note, that all ideas must have their main impact in the Republic of Ireland.
How do I apply?
Applications are open from Monday 16th September until 1pm, Monday 7th October 2024. Applicants should complete a short application form. Based on this initial submission, Rethink Ireland will identify a shortlist of applicants based on the social enterprise idea/concept presented. All courses held since 2022 were oversubscribed so we are only accepting one application per organisation. All projects must be based and have their impact in Ireland.
Please note, only one person from any one organisation can attend the course at the same time.
This fund is now closed for applications.
Please contact businesscourse@rethinkireland.ie should you require further information.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where will the course take place?
The course is almost fully remote and will take place via a Zoom link over 5 Wednesdays and one Thursday for the duration of the programme. We will have one in-person event at the end of the course.
Do I have to show any evidence of my social enterprise being up and running?
No, all we require at this stage is an idea for a social enterprise that aims to tackle a social issue.
Is there a cost to join the course?
There is no cost to join the course. Applicants will be shortlisted and chosen based on their idea’s potential for social impact.
How can I apply for the follow-up business and financial supports and Accelerator Programme award?
Details on how to apply for these awards will be shared after the course commences. Applicants will need to meet Rethink Ireland’s core criteria and additional social enterprise criteria.
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF THE COURSE
By applying for the Start a Social Enterprise Business Course, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
- By sending in your application, you accept these terms and conditions and our Privacy Statement. You may be disqualified if you do not comply with these terms and conditions.
- Rethink Ireland will hold the personal details you submitted with your application form. We will only share this information with the third parties administering the application and selection process unless we agree otherwise with you. Please see our Privacy Statement for full details.
- Successful participants agree to take part in publicity about the course. Rethink Ireland reserves the right to publish the names of organisations that are successful in their applications.
- Rethink Ireland reserves the right to disqualify any entrant, to change the terms and conditions without notice, or to cancel the application process at any stage.
