A new programme has been developed to offer training and practical supports to social enterprises in Inishowen in 2021.
The LightHouse, powered by Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP), has announced the launch of their new Thrive support programme, which is aimed at Community Groups & Social Enterprises in the Inishowen Social Enterprise Network.
The ISEN network, established some years ago, has been meeting online throughout the pandemic and has played a vital part in ensuring collaboration and resilience is at the heart of community work in Inishowen. Last year the network helped and supported one another and through their feedback the new Thrive Programme has been developed.
The ISEN network meets to share insight into issues affecting their community organisations throughout Inishowen. Through a collaborative approach, network members have shared resources, insights and contacts to ensure continuity in the sector. They also provide support and advice to each other and as members reflected on at the most recent network meeting “being a part of ISEN (during the pandemic) felt like we were being lifted over a wave” and that there is “an understanding that we are all in the same boat and therefore there is a strength in the network”.
Through consultations with the groups, a robust programme of training and practical supports has been developed, which will be delivered throughout 2021. The supports include Governance, Accessing Funding, Social Enterprise Development, Social Media, Capacity Building and Transitioning from a Community Group to a Social Enterprise. These supports will now be available to community groups within the region wishing to avail of training to help them become more sustainable.
Commenting on the announcement, Karen McCormick, IDP Social Innovation Officer said “We are very pleased that the network resilience and cohesion is growing. Building capacity is a core deliverable of our SICAP funding and we are confident that the shared learning approach is achieving this goal. We have been working extremely hard throughout the pandemic to ensure the organisations at the heart of our community have been supported. Importantly, they have and continue to support each other”.
Shauna McClenaghan, Joint CEO, IDP added, “There is no doubt that this new programme will enable us to continue to support the committed organisations who play a huge part in delivering vital services throughout the region. We are delighted to extend an invitation to all Community Groups in Inishowen who would like to avail of this free training”.
The Thrive Programme is one of the core deliverable’s of SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) which is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.
If you would like to receive further information, please contact Karen McCormick
Email: karen@inishowen.ie or call 086 3871880.
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