The inaugural National Social Enterprise Awards Ceremony has taken place at Tallaght Enterprise Centre, Dublin.
Twenty social enterprises from around the country were nominated in eight categories, with one Social Enterprise, Turn2Me, a mental health initiative that provides online counselling nationwide, announced as the overall winner. A special ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ was made to Senan Cooke from County Waterford for commitment to the social enterprise sector over many decades
- Overall Winner: Social Enterprise of the Year: Turn2Me
- Health and Wellbeing / Services for Children and Older People: Turn2Me, Nominated: Spraoi agus Spórt, LIFT Ireland Foundation
- Climate and the environment: CycleUp Textiles by Roscommon Women’s Network, Nominated: Leave No Trace Ireland, Education for Sustainability CLG
- Community Facilities/Infrastructure, Arts and Heritage, and Local Development: Common Knowledge, Nominated: Creative Spark, St. Munchins Community Centre CLG
- Training, Work Integration, and Life-long Learning Connections Arts Centre, Nominated: Generation Ireland, Rise at the Cove
- Retail, Hospitality, and Professional Services: Duhallow Community Food Services, The Bluestack Special Needs Foundation, The Green Kitchen and Garden Shop (Walkinstown Green)
- Startup: AnamVR Nominated: HUGS Community, Beyond Surviving
- Buy social: Rise at the Cove, Nominated: LIFT Ireland Foundation, Spraoi agus Spórt
- Social Finance CareBright CLG Nominated: EDI Centre Longford, Rise at the Cove
- Lifetime Achievement (Individual Recognition) Senan Cooke
Minister Jerry Buttimer TD delivered the welcome address and presented awards at the Apex Theatre. The event recognised contributions to community development and social enterprises across Ireland.
Jerry Buttimer TD shared: “The National Social Enterprise Awards celebrate the impact of community-driven initiatives across Ireland.”
