In an inspiring move toward sustainable community development and generational wealth, GCSEN has joined forces with the Mayo-Roscommon Local Area Employment Service (MRLAES) to launch a groundbreaking Social Enterprise Incubator-to-Accelerator program. This project will support and scale employee-owned social enterprises in the region.
Above: Participants-Organizations: Front Row-Mandy Moniquae- Irish-Zimbabwe Local Economy Exchange, Eleanor Ryder & John Thornton- MRLAES, Micheal O Conghaile-Udaras, Anneliese Hynes-Authentic Wellness and Majella Mulhaire, MRLAES. Back Row- left to Right: Nichola Kennedy- LEO Mayo County Council, Steve Dolan- Galway Rural Development CLG, John Coughlan & Mike Caslin GCSEN Ireland, Orlagh Denneny- Mayo/Roscommon Local Area Service (MRLAES), Justin Sammon-Mayo NorthEast LEADER, Gerry Mulheirn- Ballina MRLAES, Marian Robinson- MRLAES, with support from ATU Galway/Donegal and Ulster University Derry/Belfast
The main partners who attended the launch include Mayo County Council, Galway City Council, GCSEN Ireland, Mayo NorthEast, Udaras Galway, Authentic Wellness, and Atlantic Technological University (ATU Galway and ATU Donegal), with Ulster University (Derry and Belfast) in support of this partnership. Together, they aim to assist the region in "Winning the Future" by using innovative social enterprise ventures.
The first phase of the work of the GCSEN Foundation with MRLAES has now been completed. This phase includes the following:
- A review of UN Development Goals, Sustainable Tracking and Rating Framework for Sustainable Communities
- A rigorous 17-Slide Concept-to-Creation Pitch Deck review
- Staff review and ranking of 49 potential employee-owned Social Enterprise ventures that could create Local Community High Street as well as family generational wealth for the Mayo Roscommon region
- The guiding ethos was the focus on next generation Sustainable Social Enterprise Ventures for Sustainable Communities
GCSEN's globally recognized framework and curriculum have produced over 1,000 certified 4P Social Entrepreneurs from 14 countries. These entrepreneurs are committed to making a difference across People, Planet, Profit, and Place.
Our 4P Social entrepreneur populations targeted in Ireland are university and graduate students, unemployed, early school leavers, parolees, and single parents seeking generational wealth and sustainable communities. The U.S. and Caribbean programs concentrate on veterans and military families.
“WOW! What an amazing, inspiring and energetic event!! We have been so delighted to work with GCSEN’s Mike Caslin. What better way to share the wealth and add value to struggling communities?!” Orlagh Denneny, Programme Manager, MRLAES
“Together, we can inspire, teach, and support the creation of employee-owned social enterprises, which can create generational wealth and sustainable communities in our beautiful West of Ireland.” Eleanor Ryder, Team Lead, MRLAES
“I am Energized by the 'Social Enterprise Incubator to Accelerator Design' masterclass. An enlightening experience, a wealth of knowledge was shared that will be both empowering and actionable in the future." Micheál Ó Conghaile, Údarás na Gaeltachta
“This is amazing (GCSEN Ireland with MRLAES for Social Enterprise Accelerator Master Class) - such high calibre and connected professionals - real endorsement for the work you are doing. Well done also on the deserved recognition as well from Pace University Lubin School of Business Dean Lawrence Singleton! Brilliant! ...So great to have your calibre of academic and global leading light in this field lending support for this (for new PhD candidate for the field of Social Enterprise). ”- Professor Laura McCauley BSc, PhD (Ulster), PGChep, SFHEA, FCIM, CMBEThis is a landmark moment toward creating sustainable, community-focused economic growth in the Mayo-Roscommon region. By combining the expertise and resources of the partners involved, the GCSEN Ireland Social Enterprise Incubator-to-Accelerator program is sure to make a 4P impact.
Get Involved
For further information about this programme, email info@mayoroscommonlaes.ie. Office inquiries should be directed to +353-094-902-6468.