Social Enterprise Module for young people.
- Module introduced in partnership with Foróige as part of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Programme
- Thousands of students, primarily in DEIS schools, to benefit
- Programme to give young people opportunity to play their part in promoting Social Enterprise
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, in partnership with the youth organisation Foróige, has announced a Social Enterprise Module which will be availed of by thousands of young people across the country.
The module, introduced as part of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Programme, will be primarily taught in DEIS schools.
The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) has provided €30,000 to support the roll-out of the initiative.
It’s envisaged that approximately 120 teachers will be involved in its delivery.
Announcing the programme today, Minister Humphreys said:
“This module is a fantastic opportunity to teach young people about the positive impact Social Enterprise has across the country.
“Social enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people and to better their communities.
“I am delighted that my Department is working closely with Foróige to roll out this initiative, which will be availed of by thousands of young people in the coming months.”
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is a youth entrepreneurship education and development programme, managed and provided by Foróige in Ireland.
This project is in line with a number of commitments in the National Social Enterprise Policy which seeks to develop social enterprise in Ireland. DRCD is working to include social enterprise modules in all levels of education and training, and this module supports social enterprise initiation through a targeted initiative for young people.
Notes:
Social Enterprises
Social Enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people. Their core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like other businesses, Social Enterprises pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services on an ongoing basis. However, surpluses generated by social enterprises are re-invested into achieving their core social objectives.
They frequently work to support disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, the Traveller community, etc., or to address issues such as food poverty, social housing, or environmental matters.
National Social Enterprise Policy
Ireland’s first National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 was launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development on 18 July 2019, with the objective of creating an enabling environment for social enterprise to grow and contribute more fully to Ireland’s social and economic progress.
The Policy is focused on three main objectives:
- Building Awareness of Social Enterprise
- Growing and Strengthening Social Enterprise
- Achieving Better Policy Alignment