Social Enterprise Supports
Discover how Dublin City Council supports innovation and transformation by providing funding, training and other opportunities for the city's social enterprises.
Dublin takes part in the European Commission’s European Social Economy Regions project which works to:
- Build networks of social economy and social enterprise stakeholders.
- Encourage collaboration between organisations.
- Raise awareness of the social economy at a local and regional level.
Social enterprises bring economic, community and policy benefits, such as jobs (often for those who are marginalised), new services and education. They also provide opportunities for people to get involved in their community. This leads to a greater sense of belonging and wellbeing.
Training and Development Opportunities
Dublin City Council encourages and supports social enterprise by providing training, mentoring, events, grants and promotion through the Economic Development Office and the Local Enterprise Office Dublin City.
Our ENFUSE programme also matches social enterprises with teams of university students who can help them find innovative solutions and provide plans to help them tackle challenges.
Dublin City Social Enterprise Committee
The Dublin City Social Enterprise Committee (SEC) takes a strategic approach, which includes:
- Identifying specific areas of need and opportunity.
- Reviewing suitable strong growth business sectors for social enterprise.
- Supporting the Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards.
The Social Enterprise Awards
The Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards support social enterprise creation and development. The awards programme provides grants, mentoring, promotion and other supports to successful applicants. This enables them to further develop their activities, increase their social impact and benefit more individuals and communities.
Each year, approximately €60,000 is awarded to innovative social enterprises.
The awards are funded and supported by Dublin City Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development. Inner City Enterprise is responsible for managing the awards programme and providing mentors to successful applicants. The awards align with the policy objectives of the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2024-2027.
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Dublin City Social Enterprise Awards. The closing date is 12 noon on 24 June 2026. Submit your application.