Ireland’s first #BuySocialIRL week is taking place this week, with the headline event for the west of Ireland taking place in Oughterard Courthouse this morning from 11am.
Galway Rural Development and Galway City Partnership are partnering with the Irish Social Enterprise Network to organise the gathering, with similar events taking place nationwide.
Some of the local social enterprises providing products and services being highlighted in Galway include An Meitheal Rothar which take bikes sent for scrap and repair them, and Venture Out which delivers nature-based therapeutic programmes.
Athenry Arts & Heritage Centre, which runs a range of arts and seasonal activities, will also be showcased, as well as Meals 4 Health which supports older people to live independently in their own community by providing and delivering fresh meals.
In advance of today’s gathering, Irish Social Enterprise Network CEO Chris Gordon said this week celebrates the best of social enterprises across Ireland.
He said that social enterprises are businesses for good, so when you purchase from them, you are helping employ people that might not have had a job otherwise and you are supporting local community initiatives.
“Throughout this week, we are asking the public to consider buying something from a local social enterprise,” said Mr Gordon.
CEO of Galway Rural Development Steve Dolan said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for Galwegians to come along to Oughterard and to meet some of the city and county Social Enterprises that create local employment, sell products, provide services, and who reinvest their profits back into these communities.
“We are delighted to work with Galway City Partnership and the Irish Social Enterprise Network to showcase the county’s terrific social enterprises.”
