PRESS RELEASE: Social Enterprise at the Heart of Rural Renewal: RiSE Project Takes Off

  • Author SEA Team
  • Published
  • Duration 3 minutes

PRESS RELEASE

Social Enterprise at the Heart of Rural Renewal: RiSE Project Takes Off

A new cross community and cross border initiative is encouraging rural communities to explore the power of social enterprise as a pathway to greater sustainability and growth.

The RiSE Project is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.  The ‘Unlocking the Potential of Rural Innovation and Social Enterprise (RiSE) project’ seeks to create inclusive spaces where community development, business, and economic growth intersect to support lasting peace and prosperity.

The project which received €3,971,440, brings together a multi stakeholder partnership comprising of Rural Action who will lead the project along with partners, Irish Rural Link, Scotland Social Enterprise Academy and Social Enterprise NI (SENI) with Community Finance Ireland as an associate partner.

Through networking, events and activities, RiSE will encourage and facilitate collaboration between rural communities on a cross-border and cross-community basis. Participating groups and organisations will share knowledge and receive training support on how to maximise income generation, improve sustainability and increase the amount of people accessing community services. Part of the project is focused on inspiring the next generation of Social Enterprises by offering a programme of training and collaboration.

Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of SEUPB, said:

“There are many PEACEPLUS funded collaborative cross border services that promote equality of access for citizens in rural areas which is essential for sustained peace and progress in our society.

“The RISE project exemplifies this approach. It will support community-led development and deliver targeted services that address rural challenges.”

Speaking about the project, Allen McAdam, Chairperson of Rural Action, commented:

‘The project aims to address the shared challenge of rural sustainability through the lens of social enterprise and innovation.  Social enterprise offers a powerful pathway for rural organisations to deliver vital services while building sustainable, growth-oriented models, however many organisations face barriers to fully realising its benefits.  RiSE will unlock this potential by connecting communities across traditional divides and empowering them to shape their own futures.”

The PEACEPLUS Programme has been designed to promote peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, and has a total value of €1.14bn, to be delivered over the next four years.

PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

More information on the project will be available at www.ruralaction.co.