SICAP - Social Enterprise Support
Social enterprises provide important goods and services that benefit communities across Limerick City. We support individuals and community groups to establish, grow and sustain social enterprises that create positive social, economic and environmental impact. Our aim is to help social enterprises at every stage of development — from early ideas and start-up, through growth and long-term sustainability.
This project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
Through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), we offer a range of Social Enterprise supports to help turn ideas into action and support long-term sustainability.
We provide free, confidential one-to-one support to social enterprises and those interested in developing a social enterprise.
We can support you with:
- Exploring and developing a social enterprise idea
- Understanding what social enterprise is and how it works
- Assessing the viability of your idea or project
- Developing a feasibility study and/or business plan
- Putting the right business, governance and legal structures in place
- Identifying funding opportunities and relevant supports
- Supporting growth, consolidation and long-term sustainability
We work with social enterprises at all stages — from concept and start-up through to established organisations looking to strengthen or expand their work.
Social Enterprise Limerick (SEL) is a network of over 30 social enterprises based in Limerick City, supported by Limerick City Partnership.
The network provides a space for social enterprises to:
- Connect and collaborate
- Share learning and experience
- Support each other to achieve their goals
SEL also supports a range of training, development and promotional activities and has a strong focus on key thematic areas, including:
- Community food provision
- Community growing and gardening
- Circular economy and environment
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
- Community arts, digital and training initiatives
- And more
We develop and deliver a range of innovative projects that support social enterprises and communities, including initiatives focused on:
- Community food provision (in collaboration with the Limerick Food Partnership)
- Community growing and gardening (Limerick Growing Communities)
- Circular economy projects (such as Limerick Food Cycle)
- Community arts (including the PURE Limerick Community Arts Festival)
- Social enterprise promotion and awareness (such as the ARISE Video Initiative, The ‘Social Business’ Brochure and the ‘Social Enterprise = Social Impact’ flyer)
- Digital skills and training (including the DIGIWISE online training programme)
SICAP is the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme. It aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality.
All SICAP services are free, confidential and optional.
We deliver SICAP in partnership with eight community-based organisations in Limerick City.
- Garryowen Community Development Project
- Learning Hub Limerick
- Limerick Island Community Partners
- Moyross Community Enterprise Centre
- Our Lady of Lourdes Community Services Group
- Southill Hub
- St Munchins Community Enterprise Centre
- Tait House
See our other SICAP supports:
Explore the Social Business Directory, which provides an overview of the social enterprises supported by Social Enterprise Limerick (SEL). It showcases the breadth of activity taking place across Limerick, highlighting organisations working in areas such as community services, food provision, environmental initiatives, arts and culture.
If you are interested in developing a social enterprise or are already involved in one and would like support, please get in touch with Michael.
Phone: 087 407 8648
Email: mgleeson@limerickcitypartnership.ie
For more information, please visit https://eufunds.ie/
