Nineteen rural organisations from across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland are taking part in the first cohort of the €3.97 million Rural Innovation and Social Enterprise (RiSE) Project.
RiSE is a cross-community and cross-border initiative supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), which aims to unlock the potential of social enterprise as a driver of sustainability, innovation and long-term growth within rural communities.
Led by Rural Action, the project is delivered in partnership with Irish Rural Link, Social Enterprise Academy Scotland and Social Enterprise NI (SENI), with Community Finance Ireland as an associate partner. Together, the partnership brings a wealth of experience in rural development, social enterprise, learning and community development to support participating organisations throughout their RiSE journey.
The first cohort brings together a diverse range of organisations from across Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo.
The organisations taking part are:
Northern Ireland: Clonduff Development Enterprise COI Ltd; Caledon Regeneration Partnership; Richmount Rural Community Association Ltd; Changing Cycles CIC; Easilink Community Transport; Kesh Enterprise Co Ltd; CAN – Compass People; Grow the Glens; Next Step Transitions and Rural Health Partnership.
Border counties of Ireland: Donegal Giving; Losume; Rockcorry Community Development Association; Spraoi Glas; Hands For Unity; Knockatallon Development Company CLG; Spraoi agus Spórt; FutureCast and The Termon Complex.
Since beginning their RiSE journey, the organisations have been engaging in a programme of activity designed to strengthen leadership, build connections, encourage shared learning and support the development of sustainable social enterprise activity.
The cohort came together for the first time in June at Galbally Community Centre for the ‘Exploring My Leadership’ cluster event. This was followed in July with a residential in Monaghan. The programme will continue to build momentum over the coming months. A one-day Northern Ireland study visit is planned for September, followed by a three-day study visit to Scotland in October, providing further opportunities for participants to experience social enterprise in practice, exchange ideas and bring new learning back to their organisations and communities.
September will also see the beginning of RiSE schools, the youth-focused element of the project, creating opportunities for young people to explore social enterprise, innovation and social action.
Speaking about the progress of the programme, Teresa Canavan, Chief Executive of Rural Action, said:
“It has been fantastic to see the first RiSE cohort come together and to watch the connections, conversations and ideas already beginning to develop.
“These 19 organisations bring a wealth of experience, ambition and commitment to their rural communities. RiSE is about building on that by giving organisations the space, support and opportunities to learn from one another, develop their leadership and explore how social enterprise can strengthen their long-term sustainability.
“One of the real strengths of RiSE is the partnership approach behind the programme and the opportunity it creates to bring people and organisations together across communities and borders. Working alongside our project partners, we are drawing on a wide range of experience and expertise to support organisations throughout their journey.
“We are only at the beginning, but there is already a real sense of energy and enthusiasm within the cohort. With study visits, further learning and development opportunities ahead, we are excited to see how their ideas develop and, ultimately, the difference this can make within rural communities.”
For the organisations taking part, the first months of RiSE have provided an opportunity not only to develop their own knowledge and skills, but also to learn from the experiences of other rural organisations and build new relationships across communities and borders.
Eddie McGoldrick from Grow the Glens, Co. Antrim said “We joined RiSE because we could see the potential for social enterprise to help us become more sustainable and create new opportunities within our community. Already, the opportunity to meet and learn from other organisations has given us new ideas and a different perspective on where we could go next.”
Evelyn Mc Glynn, from Donegal Giving based in Ballybofey said “One of the most valuable parts of RiSE so far has been connecting with organisations facing many of the same challenges as ourselves. Although we come from different places and communities, there is so much we can learn from one another, and we’re excited to see where that collaboration takes us.”
The next opportunity to be part of RiSE is coming soon, with Expressions of Interest reopening on 1st September and closing on 9th October 2026. Rural organisations across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland are encouraged to find out more, with full details and the Expression of Interest form available on the Rural Action website from 1st September.
PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
- PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The total value of PEACEPLUS is €1.14 billion.
- PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
- Unlocking the Potential of Rural Innovation and Social Enterprise (RiSE) is funded through the PEACEPLUS Programme – Rural Regeneration and Social Inclusion – to the value of €3,971,440.
- The project is led by Rural Action and includes partner organisations Irish Rural Link, Scotland Social Enterprise Academy and Social Enterprise NI (SENI) with Community Finance Ireland as an associate partner.