The new funding round — which forms part of the Government’s Regional Action Plan for Jobs — will see €2m spread across Local Enterprise Office-sponsored collaborations and €3m allocated via the Community Enterprise Initiative, wherein community organisations partner with other regional organisations to deliver new job creation projects.
“Every parish, county and region knows it has particular strengths that can create jobs. The Government is committed to supporting that effort,” Jobs and Enterprise Minister, Mary Mitchell O’Connor said.
“Local and regional organisations — public and private — have committed to work together in the drive for jobs and to create the opportunities for people to live and work in their local communities,” she added.
Enterprise Ireland chief executive Julie Sinnamon added that the first competitive call for funding — a second round call for funding will be launched later this year — had been “very well subscribed”.
“Job creation is alive and well in the regions and Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting that effort...Enterprise Ireland knows that working with local and regional groups, and supporting collaborative initiatives, is the key to strengthening job creation at community, local and regional level,” she added.
The Government said this new funding round is the beginning of a new approach to supporting job creation initiatives at local and regional level.