Cash grants of €1,000 are available in Galway under the RISE Community Fund this month, for digital projects that will help local communities.
The fund, which is supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI), is open to small businesses, farms, community groups and social enterprises.
Established by NBI Chairman and technology entrepreneur, David McCourt, RISE is providing monthly grants across the country to give an immediate cash injection into local communities seeking to boost their digital ecosystems.
For those in Galway, applications for the grants opened at the start of the month, and will close on February 28.
Up to five grants of €1000 will be available in February to successful applicants across the county. Guidelines and application forms are available at www.riseglobalfoundation.com.
David McCourt said that they are calling on all interested parties to submit their plans for using technology in “creative and entrepreneurial” ways.
“We know there are some amazing people doing extraordinary things to bring value to their local communities, and we’re hoping to accelerate and scale their ambitions with the support of these grants.”
The RISE Community Fund was established in early 2022, with monthly cash grants available in different counties across Ireland to empower people’s plans to use technology.
“The application process has been made incredibly quick and easy, and successful applicants will be notified by early March, with money following in quick succession.”
We can’t wait to see the entrepreneurial ideas from Galway,” said Orla O’Malley, Programme Director at RISE.
Last year saw the Spanish investment management firm Asterion Industrial Partners acquire a majority stake in NBI.
The government consented to the company buying an 80% stake in NBI last July, and the deal went through in November.
In Galway, there are approximately 40,000 premises which will be connected under the National Broadband Plan, which includes homes, farms, commercial businesses and schools.
Under the plan, County Galway will see an investment of €153M in the new high speed fibre network.
