Ireland celebrates inspiring achievements at national social enterprise awards
Ireland's most visionary social enterprises and community champions were honoured in Limerick at the prestigious second National Social Enterprise Awards. Eleven standout organisations and leaders received top accolades for driving impactful change across local communities nationwide.
•
⏱️ 2 min read
Ireland's vibrant social enterprise sector enjoyed a resounding day of celebration in Limerick as the second National Social Enterprise Awards brought together innovators, volunteers, and national leaders to honour exceptional community impact. Minister of State Jerry Buttimer delivered a stirring keynote address praising organisations that put inclusion, purpose, and environmental sustainability ahead of pure profit. The event highlighted the extraordinary growth of businesses tackling societal challenges, ranging from worker-owned care cooperatives to innovative climate literacy initiatives across towns and cities.
A total of eleven awards were presented during the ceremony, shining a light on diverse categories including disability inclusion, mental health support, circular economy projects, and local community development. Notable winners included Education for Sustainability, which scooped the coveted Social Enterprise of the Year title, alongside trailblazing initiatives such as The Great Care Co-op and Kinia. Individual excellence was also celebrated, with John P. Murphy receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for two decades of championing work integration, and Nelia Rareza named Volunteer of the Year for her tireless advocacy for migrant care workers.
Organised through a collaborative consortium including the Local Development Company Network, Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland, the Irish Social Enterprise Network, and the Wheel, the awards form a key pillar of the national policy framework, Trading for Impact. Supported by Community Finance Ireland, the inspiring event demonstrated how commercial enterprise can successfully drive lasting social change. Stakeholders look forward to continued collaboration to foster an even stronger, more resilient social economy in the years ahead.
A total of eleven awards were presented during the ceremony, shining a light on diverse categories including disability inclusion, mental health support, circular economy projects, and local community development. Notable winners included Education for Sustainability, which scooped the coveted Social Enterprise of the Year title, alongside trailblazing initiatives such as The Great Care Co-op and Kinia. Individual excellence was also celebrated, with John P. Murphy receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for two decades of championing work integration, and Nelia Rareza named Volunteer of the Year for her tireless advocacy for migrant care workers.
Organised through a collaborative consortium including the Local Development Company Network, Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland, the Irish Social Enterprise Network, and the Wheel, the awards form a key pillar of the national policy framework, Trading for Impact. Supported by Community Finance Ireland, the inspiring event demonstrated how commercial enterprise can successfully drive lasting social change. Stakeholders look forward to continued collaboration to foster an even stronger, more resilient social economy in the years ahead.
0 views