25,000 jobs possible, says John Murphy

John Murphy CEO Speedpak

The EU Commission’s ‘Social Business Initiative’ reflects the value and potential the EU Commission sees in models of social enterprises and entrepreneurship right across Europe.

Social enterprises represent on average 5% of GDP in the EU but only 3% in Ireland – so we have some catching up to do. It’s estimated that if over 5 years we could reach the EU average we would create 25,000 jobs.

Innovative micro enterprise project comes to Ireland

Entrepeneurs 4 Change

- Community groups giving would-be entrepreneurs second chance

Five community organisations have pulled together and pooled resources to bring a new entrepreneurial programme to Ireland, one which has proven a success in the USA in giving social enterprises a start. In January, the programme helped 20 business hopefuls in Wexford and Dublin who initially had loan applications refused.

The ‘Entrepreneurs4change’ programme which may be repeated in other parts of the country began when a community organisation in Co. Wexford and four others from Dublin, including a national Traveller organisation linked up. The organisations are Dublin Simon Community, National Traveller MABS, Job Care, South West Wexford Community Development Programme and (Dublin’s) South Inner City Community Development Association. The latter two are part of the LCDP.