Inishowen social enterprise Spraoi agus Spórt awarded €300,000 from social innovation funding

Inishowen based social enterprise Spraoi agus Spórt has been awarded €300,000 from funding aimed at  enhancing social innovation across the country.

The award-winning Carndonagh  social enterprise is one of nine initiatives that will share an overall funding package of €2.5 million from the New Solutions Scaling Up Scheme which provides funding to proven social innovation projects that are ready to grow and achieve greater impact.

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Spraoi agus Sport was set up to address socio-economic issues and the organisation focuses on combating youth outmigration, unemployment, isolation and social exclusion using sustainable and community-led solutions. Back in June, Sproai agus Spórt was allocated €210,000 by the Department of Health to significantly increase its ability to support children with disabilities.

Welcoming the funding allocation announced by the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, said: “Since it was established in Carndonagh in 2010, Spraoi agus Spórt has been to the fore in helping the community, and this latest allocation of government support will allow it to further develop and expand its services.”

“The aim of Spraoi agus Spórt is to establish a centre for national rural regeneration so that other communities can recreate what it has done. This funding will be used by Spraoi agus Sport to create playbooks – one around circular economy, one around the regeneration of vacant buildings and one based on the inclusive element of the various services it provides.

“I know everyone connected with Spraoi agus Spórt is delighted with this funding announcement which will also go towards the creation of two and a half full-time equivalents,” the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy added.

“I’d like to acknowledge the excellent work that is being done at Spraoi and Spórt by Helen Nolan and her team. This significant funding allocation of €300,000 announced by Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, is a further vote of confidence in an organisation which continues to make a real and lasting difference to people’s lives,” the Donegal Minister of State said.