NEW CHALLENGE GRANT ADDED FOR START UP SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS

   UP TO €1MILLION IN FUNDING TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR BOTH ESTABLISHED AND START UP PROJECT

 A new dimension has been added to the Arthur Guinness Fund this year in the form of a Challenge Grant, which invites applications from start up projects seeking both financial and practical support. Projects that have been established in the last two years are invited to apply to receive up to €25,000 per annum for two years.  This award is specifically targeted at projects that do not necessarily have a proven model, but can illustrate the high potential of their project. The initiatives must be capable of providing an innovative way of driving positive change and sustainable social impact in Ireland.

In order to encourage applications from as diverse a base as possible, another new addition to the process is the introduction of categories, that also act as guide for perspective awardees.  Applicants are asked to register their project under one of six specific categories.  These are Technology and Social Media for Social Good, Skills for Life, Enriching the Environment, Social and Community Regeneration, Culture and Arts and Community Wellbeing.  A final open category is also available to projects that do not fit within any of the specific categories, but are still working towards sustainable social change in Ireland. The different categories will act as guidelines for people who are considering whether their project fits with The Arthur Guinness Fund.  (Please note: a brief explanation of each category is outlined in the editor’s notes)

John Kennedy, Managing Director, Diageo Ireland said, “The Arthur Guinness Fund is designed as a springboard to enable Irish entrepreneurs to take their initiatives to the next level. It’s about backing people with a business head and a social heart. It is often very difficult for social entrepreneurs to attract funding at the initial stages and as such, Guinness would like to give them the opportunity to turn their innovative idea into a reality. This year we continue to work closely with our partners, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, who are experts in this area. “

 “Arthur Guinness is widely regarded as the original social entrepreneur of his day and we are delighted to maintain his legacy by continuing to support social entrepreneurs across Ireland through the Arthur Guinness Fund”, he continued.

Sean Coughlan, CEO Social Entrepreneurs Ireland said  “Following a hugely successful first year of the Arthur Guinness Fund, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is delighted to be working with Guinness & Co. again on such an inspiring project. We’re particularly excited about the development of a challenge grant for social entrepreneurs that are just starting off but have a lot of potential. By supporting people with innovative solutions to some of society’s entrenched social problems, Guinness & Co is making a significant difference to communities in Ireland”

 In addition to the Challenge Grant the Arthur Guinness Fund is also seeking applications from social entrepreneurs whose projects are at a more advanced stage of development. Typically, these ventures are in operation between two and five years and can demonstrate the positive and sustainable impact they are making on Irish communities and how with funding from the Arthur Guinness Fund, this impact can be further enhanced. Applicants who have ideally been in operation for two to five years are eligible to receive up to €50,000 in funding per annum for two years.

One of the most innovative aspects of The Arthur Guinness Fund is that in addition to receiving financial support, the Fund also supports a comprehensive two year support programme for the awardees including additional expertise and practical support from Diageo Ireland and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s alumni network and events. Applications to the Arthur Guinness Fund will remain open until Wednesday, 10^th November, 2010. Those interested can download an application form from www.guinness.com/arthurguinnessfund

ENDS

For further information, please contact

Eileen O’Malley/ Ruth Gleeson

WHPR

Tel 01 6690030 or Eileen – 085 8289002/ Ruth 087 6964359

28^th September 2010

Interviews with previous Arthur Guinness Fund awardees, Diageo Ireland and SEI representatives are available on request.

Editor’s Notes:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION ON CATEGORIES

1. Technology and Social Media for Social Good

Digital media, social media and technology-based projects that address a specific social issue. 

2. Skills for Life

Education, knowledge and skills advancement for social change directed primarily at benefitting adults.

3. Enriching the Environment

Promoting environmentally sustainable solutions for social and community improvement.

4. Social and Community Regeneration

Community building and support, employment provision, social inclusion or civic engagement.

* Please note the Arthur Guinness Fund is not in the position to fund physical infrastructure projects or capital spending (e.g. new buildings/refurbishment of old buildings).

5. Culture and the Arts

Creative approaches to building social capital and networks.

* Please note that the Arthur Guinness Fund is  not in the position to fund one-off events or festivals.

6. Community Wellbeing 

Supporting mental and physical health and wellbeing for individuals and communities.

7. Other 

If the project does not fit into one of the above categories but you are working towards sustainable social change in Ireland.

The Arthur Guinness Fund 2010 Awardees are as follows; 

Anam Cara – bereavement support service focusing on the needs of parents and siblings

Camara – re-using technology to tackle global waste and education in disadvantaged areas 

Growing Locally – training people on low incomes to grow their own produce and improve their diet and exercise

Fáilte Isteach – supporting older people to make a difference especially within migrant communities

Grow It Yourself – promoting and encouraging food growing skills and the sharing of knowledge

Kanchi – driving best practice in the inclusion of people with disabilities within society

Pieta House – service focused on suicide prevention and intervention in a supportive environment

Rediscover Fashion – recycling textiles establishing a new generation of eco-conscious socially aware consumers 

Speedpak WAM – a social enterprise providing employment and up-skilling for the long term unemployed

Suas – a Service Learning Programme for young Irish people to help them become the leaders of the future

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland directly supports the early stage development of social entrepreneurs by providing a range of supports. These supports consist of financial investment in social entrepreneurs, technical training, peer networking, mentoring and links to other social entrepreneur networks.

A social entrepreneur is someone with a business head and a social heart, and someone who has the spirit, energy and drive of successful business entrepreneurs, but rather than building profitable businesses, their core purpose is to improve and enhance society, changing communities for the better.

The Arthur Guinness Fund globally

Since establishing the Arthur Guinness Fund in 2009, a total of €7.4m has been invested in the Fund. This figure includes the €2.5m allocated to the Arthur Guinness Fund in Ireland.  Guinness has also invested in some remarkable projects in Africa, Indonesia, United States and the UK.  Most recently, Guinness announced a global partnership with Ashoka to enable the deployment of the funds to new social entrepreneurial projects around the world.