Funding for social enterprise start-ups in NI

Funding has become available in Northern Ireland to identify and support social entrepreneurs and people with innovative solutions with the potential to change society for the better.

Awards from £500 to £15,000 are on offer, alongside a package of one to one and peer support, from UnLtd, whose mission is to find, fund and support social entrepreneurs.

UnLtd particularly encourages applications from people with disabilities or those who identify as Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic background.

They are also keen to support those with direct experience of the social issues they are looking to solve.

UnLtd supports people to start or grow their business, whether to develop and test an idea or grow a social venture that’s already up and running.

The awards on offer include: ·

Try it awards to support social entrepreneurs to test their ideas ·

Do it awards to help you get started and create a clear social impact ·

Grow it awards to help social entrepreneurs already thriving to grow their impact and build a sustainable financial model

Northern Ireland’s social enterprises have been at the heart of community survival and recovery during the coronavirus crisis, helping to provide food and opportunities for connection in their communities. UnLtd has boosted their core funding programme to meet the needs of social entrepreneurs as the organisation believes social entrepreneurs are critical to solving social issues exacerbated by the pandemic.

Highlighting the problems facing the vulnerable communities due to the pandemic, Nuala Smyth, UnLtd social entrepreneur support manager for Northern Ireland, said: “The virus, the economic crash, and inaccessible support are hitting vulnerable communities the hardest.

“The societal impact of Covid-19 is already proving long-term and wide-ranging, with an alarming rise in youth unemployment, a devastating increase in inequality and the attrition in people’s health, wellbeing and sense of connection.

“We believe social entrepreneurs, particularly those with lived experience of these challenges and injustices, have powerful solutions to these issues, while also offering meaningful jobs, sustainable finances and a more inclusive recovery.

“We’re here to help them start or grow their ideas.”

From starting ups to scaling up, UnLtd’s unique package of support and funding helps social entrepreneurs to realise their untapped potential and build a better society for all.

One social entrepreneur recently supported is Gail Redmond, founder of Dromore based charity Via Wings which runs a range of services, including delivering emergency food and toiletry packs and pastoral care to local families.

Gail said: “The support from UnLtd has been invaluable.

“They opened doors of opportunity for us. Any questions we didn’t know the answers to, they knew where to go: there was always a solution.

“Their help has benefitted us financially and personally – both myself as a leader and also our staff, as UnLtd gave them the tools to make life easier.”

Fellow entrepeneur Belfast-based Christine Davies, creator of Zimpal, a lightweight enclosed tray that attaches to walking frames to avoid falls and increase independence, added: “Without UnLtd and access to their resources and expertise, we wouldn’t be going to market.

“It’s not just the money, it’s the workshops and the mentoring too, and the chance to learn from other entrepeneurs. UnLtd are always there with guidance and reassurance when you need them.”

For more information, including how to apply for the awards, is available on the UnLtd website, www.unltd.org.uk.

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