Community Finance Ireland (CFI) continues to support local and early-stage community initiatives. One such project that has recently benefitted from this support is Hair Together, a social enterprise based in Dublin and founded by CEO Eileen McHugh who says:
“Hair Together deliver hairdressing and barbering courses with a social twist. While learning practical skills and exploring career paths, participants also learn valuable tools to enhance their overall well-being. We offer a safe space for personal growth with our main focus on young people from Ballymun and women who have experienced prison”
John Evoy, Board Member at Community Finance Ireland, and Colm Prendergast, Client Relationship Executive Community Finance Ireland recently met with CEO Eileen McHugh where the news of our financial assistance was met with genuine delight.
This assistance will enable Hair Together to expand its services, reach more individuals in need, and continue its important work in the community.
Photo: (L to R): John Evoy, Board Member CFI, Eileen McHugh, CEO Hair Together, and Colm Prendergast, Client Relationship Executive CFI. Photo Credit: Gareth Chaney.
John Evoy, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating:
“We are proud to support Hair Together and witness the tangible impact it is making on people’s lives. Social enterprises like this are essential in creating resilient communities.”
Colm Prendergast added, Hair Together embodies the spirit of social enterprise. It’s inspiring to see how Eileen is using hairdressing as a tool for positive change.”
More information about Hair Together or to get involved in their program here.
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Community Finance Ireland (CFI) is proud to announce its continued support for local and early-stage community initiatives. The latest recipient of this vital support is ‘Lust for Life,’ a Dublin-based social enterprise that is pioneering innovative solutions for children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Lust for Life, led by CEO Bernie Keogh, is dedicated to enhancing the mental health of children and young people through creative and impactful programmes. As the need for mental health services continues to rise, ‘Lust for Life’ is stepping up with targeted interventions that provide much-needed support to the younger generation.
Earlier this summer, Donal Traynor, CEO of Community Finance Ireland, announced support for Bernie and the team. This funding will help the social enterprise’s efforts in delivering critical mental health services.
Looking ahead to lasting change for good (L to R): Bernie Keogh, CEO Lust for Life and Donal Traynor, Group CEO Community Finance Ireland. Photo Credit: Marc O’Sullivan.
Donal Traynor expressed his enthusiasm for this social enterprise stating:
“Community Finance Ireland is delighted that Lust for Life has benefited from our assistance. The team’s services have never been more needed, and we are delighted to support them at this juncture in their chapter.”
The support from CFI comes at a crucial time for Lust for Life enabling them to expand their reach and impact more lives across Dublin and beyond.
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Social enterprise Community Finance Ireland (CFI) has been playing a vital role in helping our athletes compete at the highest level, according to the Irish athletics stalwart who has coached at four Olympic games.
With the country still celebrating the success of our athletes at the recent European Championships in Rome, ex-Irish Athletics team manager Patsy McGonagle said clubs across the country are benefitting from social finance loans from the charity lender to improve facilities.
McGonagle, who during his 25-year stint at the helm of the Irish Athletics team coached the likes of Sonia O’Sullivan and Rob Heffernan said:
“It’s all about the grassroots feeding into the elite games, and you won’t have Irish athletes succeeding at European Championship or at Olympic level if they don’t have proper training facilities in their local communities.”
Since 2001, CFI has committed more than €100 million to hundreds of community organisations on both sides of the border. Lending to sports clubs, community projects, faith-based groups, and social enterprises, CFI funds initiatives that make a difference in local communities.
Finn Valley Athletic Club’s Patsy McGonagle
And CFI’s recently published Social Value Report 2023 shows that 49 sports clubs were loaned a total of €6 million between January and December 2023.
In Stranorlar, Donegal, CFI funds were used by McGonagle’s club Finn Valley to build new changing facilities for members and officials.
“We’re providing a modern facility in an area where there’s very little opportunity,” McGonagle said. “The mental impact that’s had on the community, the physical and social impact – it’s all positive. When there was a shortfall and we needed money, Community Finance Ireland made it a win-win for us big time. They were very responsive and easy to work with. It was a great experience. The facility would not exist were we not to get that finance.”
Calculating the wider social value of CFI loans
In its Social Value Report 2023, published June 2024, CFI says that for every euro it loaned, the social return was €3.69, a figure which, the charity says, reflects the positive impact its loans have on the wider community.
Between January and December 2023, CFI loaned a total €13 million to 109 organisations across the island of Ireland.
Rose Regeneration’s Conor McGale with Community Finance Ireland Chief Executive Donal Traynor as they launch the results of CFI’s Social Value Report 2023
The analysis was calculated by economic development specialists Rose Regeneration using its Social Value Engine (SVE). Rose Regeneration’s SVE is used by public bodies in England and Wales and follows several key steps when calculating a loan’s social value, such as examining agreed project outcomes to give them a financial value.
CFI chief executive Dónal Traynor said calculating the social return of their investments helped the charity understand the wider impact its loans were having. He said:
“There is a huge excitement for Irish athletes going into the Paris Olympics, especially after their recent successes in Rome. But their coaches will tell you, the hard work starts at home, in their local communities. Athletes require decent local facilities if they are to stand a chance of succeeding at major events. For more than two decades, CFI has been helping grass-roots clubs to foster the potential of budding youngsters. Finn Valley is a great example of this, but they’re not alone. We also provided a bridging loan to St. Laurence O’Toole Athletic Club in Carlow, to begin works on an Olympic-standard running track. More than 400 athletes of all ages and abilities in Askea are now training in world-class facilities. They’ve produced 40 track-and-field internationals in the last decade. Imagine how many more young athletes have the opportunity to follow in their footsteps now. We know that international success inspires young athletes – that’s social impact. Like those athletes, as a social enterprise, we strive to create a lasting social impact in every community on the island. It’s the driving force behind everything that we do.”
Click here to read the Social Value Report for 2023 in full.
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📢 Attention All Local Communities! 📢
Almost €9 million in funding is now available under the 2024 CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme. This funding is specifically aimed at supporting community and sports facilities nationwide, particularly in areas that have faced significant population decline.
Here is the breakdown of what’s available:
Measure 1: Grants ranging from €5,000 to €50,000 for community and sports facilities, youth clubs, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks, and more.
Measure 2: Support for voluntary groups providing free transport for cancer care, Community First Response Support, Search and Rescue organizations, and this year, meals on wheels services. Maximum grants of €50,000 for a car and €100,000 for a bus.
Measure 3: Aimed at supporting offshore island communities, with maximum grants of €120,000 for community transport projects and up to €50,000 for amenities projects.
At Community Finance Ireland, we understand that if your grant is approved you may need additional support in the form of accessing your grant via bridging finance. And this stage is often needed swiftly.
That’s why our local relationship managers are here to support you at that key stage in the overall process. Whether you are in one of Ireland’s most remote areas or not we’re dedicated to helping you drawdown that much needed grant award.
If you are interested in accessing CLÁR 2024 funding and need assistance on the drawdown of an approved grant, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our team is committed to working with you make the most of a successful application.
Get in touch with Community Finance Ireland’s seasoned navigators who are here to help you access Bridging Finance.
More info from the department visit their website.
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We are thrilled to announce that Community Finance Ireland (CFI) has attained the prestigious ISO 9001 Quality Management System accreditation on an all-island basis.
This significant accomplishment reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in serving our clients and advancing positive social impact.
The ISO 9001 standard is built upon a set of quality management principles, including a strong customer focus, active involvement of top management, a process-oriented approach, and continuous improvement. By adhering to these principles, we have established a solid foundation for organizational excellence.
Benefits to CFI and Our Clients This achievement brings several advantages to both Community Finance Ireland and our valued clients:
Increased Efficiencies: With all our processes aligned and comprehended by every member of our organization, we can enhance the efficiency of our internal controls, streamlining our operations and ensuring optimal performance.
Enhanced Reputation: The ISO 9001 accreditation further strengthens our reputation as a credible and genuine charity and social enterprise. It underscores our dedication to advocating for positive social impact and demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality services.
Clear Objectives and Commitment: By assessing the overall context of our organization and understanding the expectations of those affected by our work, we can clearly define our objectives. This enables us to showcase our unwavering commitment to excellence and the pursuit of our mission.
Customer Focus: We reaffirm our dedication to putting our customers first, consistently meeting their needs, and enhancing their satisfaction. This recognition ensures that our clients’ experience with Community Finance Ireland remains at the heart of everything we do.
Compliance and Governance: Attaining the ISO 9001 accreditation guarantees that we meet the necessary statutory and regulatory requirements, strengthening our compliance and governance practices.
We extend our gratitude to our dedicated team, whose hard work and commitment have made this achievement possible. We are excited about the opportunities this accreditation brings and the continued positive impact we can make together.
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A historic community hall in Crosspatrick, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny, has undergone extensive renovations, transforming it into a vibrant hub of activity for residents of all ages. Thanks to the support and advice of Community Finance Ireland (CFI), the Crosspatrick Community Group successfully revitalized the hall with a term and bridging loan in social finance, enabling the facility to offer a wide range of activities, from table tennis and spin classes to bridge tournaments.
Originally constructed in 1810 as a church, the building later served as a school for the local rural community before being repurposed as a community hall in 1950. Over the years, it has become a central gathering place for residents, hosting various events, including school activities, coffee mornings, card nights, and exercise classes. The hall’s renovation project, initiated in 2020, addressed the building’s deteriorating condition, upgrading essential elements such as windows, toilets, and the kitchen to ensure accessibility and compliance with modern standards.
Thomas O’Connell, the Secretary of the Crosspatrick Community Group, highlighted the hall’s significance, stating,
“People would never get together if it wasn’t for the hall. For as long as I can remember, it has been at the heart of this local community.” The renovations have already had a positive impact, fostering a sense of community and providing a space where laughter and connection can thrive. In addition to its current offerings, the Crosspatrick Community Group aims to establish a business hub within the hall later this year.”
Pictured at Cross Patrick Hall in Co. Kilkenny: Head of Republic of Ireland Business for Community Finance Ireland Barry Symes and Jim O’Grady, Volunteer at Cross Patrick Hall.
Barry Symes, Head of Community Finance Ireland ROI, visited the renovated hall to commend Thomas and the Crosspatrick Community Group on their successful project. He emphasized the collaborative effort that made the renovations possible, stating:
“The renovations undertaken here are a fantastic testament to the people power of volunteers from the Crosspatrick Community Group, who have seen this project through from the outset.” Symes also acknowledged the community’s dedicated fundraising efforts and the financial support received from Community Finance Ireland, a Leader grant for Rural Development, and a community grant from the Bord na Mona Powergen Bruckana Windfarm.“
Community Finance Ireland has been instrumental in supporting community and voluntary organizations in Kilkenny, approving a total of €2.28 million in social finance loans since 2016. The organization takes a flexible approach to funding, bridging gaps and providing loans to meet the diverse needs of community groups.
Thomas expressed his gratitude for the support received from Community Finance Ireland, stating,
“”Our experience with Community Finance Ireland was really fantastic. Barry helped us with advice on our Leader grant application as well as the bridging loan to get the project off the ground. That support is the reason we’re here today.“
The Crosspatrick community hall’s transformation stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact of social finance in empowering local communities.
Community Finance Ireland continues to deliver social finance solutions that support various community initiatives, sports projects, faith-based groups, and social enterprises. As part of the UCIT Group, Community Finance Ireland is the most progressive social finance provider on the island of Ireland.
If you and your community facilIf you, your board and volunteers need advice on how to fund a new idea for your community hall get in touch today or follow us onTwitter.
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First cross-border workshop held in Derry~Londonderry as part of delivery programme for project supported through the International Fund for Ireland.
An ambitious cross-border project is bringing people together to deliver a capacity building programme that will make border communities more sustainable.
NetWORKS23 is funded by the International Fund for Ireland’s (IFI) Communities in Partnership Programme (CiPP). It has a strong focus on developing and embedding sustainable relationships on a cross-border basis through supporting cooperation and innovation between groups and organisations North and South.
The project is being led by Community Finance Ireland in partnership with Rural Community Network. Both organisations bring a wealth of experience in social enterprise, finance, peace building and reconciliation.
Through a shared learning approach, NetWORKS 23 will facilitate cross-community and cross-border engagement with people who have had limited opportunities for collaborative working. The Project targets community and voluntary organisations in Derry, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Fermanagh, Donegal and Tyrone.
Attending Networks23 event in Greysteel were left to right: Damian McAteer Community Finance Ireland Group Chair, Donal Traynor, Community Finance Ireland Group CEO, Columba Mailey, Manager of the Vale Centre, Bridie Mullen, Board Director Vale Centre and Paddy Harte IFI Chair.
Participants to date have attended residentials in Sligo and a cross-border workshop in Greysteel at the Vale Centre. The daylong seminar provided practical insight into the Vale Centre’s commercial activities, revenue generation and how a social enterprise approach feeds into the public and social services offered to the wider community.
NetWORKS23 aims to build progressive partnerships that will deliver meaningful benefits for communities on both sides of the border and raise awareness of the issues and challenges while also contributing to the wider peace building work of the IFI.
Commenting on the project, IFI Chair Paddy Harte says;
“The NetWORKS23 Project is timely as border areas have traditionally suffered from isolation, lack of investment and the ongoing legacy of The Troubles. It is important to examine how we can improve reconciliation between rural Unionist and Nationalist communities to help build resilience and develop local leadership. This initiative will provide the necessary training for participants to examine the long-term development of their own projects within a wider peace and reconciliation context.
The IFI is committed to delivering cross-community and cross-border outreach, encouraging challenging conversations to deal with a range of issues. We are particularly pleased to support this project under CiPP, which values innovation and the creation of positive and long-lasting relationships between cross-border communities who share similar challenges.”
Donal Traynor Group CEO of Community Finance Ireland had this to say:
“Community Finance Ireland are delighted to lend their support to this cross-border initiative. Our support for the ongoing prosperity and development of all communities has been in place for over 21 years and our commitment remains for this generation and the next.”
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Community Finance Ireland are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark Accreditation. This prestigious accreditation demonstrates that the company is creating real benefits for people and the planet, and is committed to social impact.
The Social Enterprise Mark is an independently assessed accreditation that recognizes organizations that are operating as social enterprises. This means that they are using business to create social and environmental impact, and are committed to reinvesting their profits back into their mission.
Community Finance Ireland’s CEO, Donal Traynor, expressed his excitement about achieving the Social Enterprise Mark accreditation, saying:
“We are thrilled to have received this accreditation, which confirms our ongoing commitment to creating positive social impact. At Community Finance Ireland, we believe that social finance can play a critical role in building a more equitable and sustainable future for everyone. Our recent Social Value Impact report and findings further demonstrate how social finance is working to achieve great results, and we are committed to continuing this important work.”
The Social Enterprise Mark is awarded by Social Enterprise Mark CIC, the leading global authority on social enterprise. To achieve the accreditation, Community Finance Ireland underwent a rigorous assessment process that evaluated the company’s social and environmental impact, governance structures, and financial sustainability.
Community Finance Ireland’s Compliance Officer Stephanie NIcholl and CEO Donal Traynor awarded the Social Enterprise Mark Accreditation April 2023
As a registered social enterprise, Community Finance Ireland is committed to using finance as a tool for positive social change. The company provides affordable loans to community and voluntary organizations, social enterprises, and charities across Ireland, helping to build stronger communities and support important social causes.
As well as recognising Community Finance Ireland’s dedication to achieving high quality social impact, holding the mark demonstrates our commitment to effective good governance controls, stakeholder engagement, financial transparency and ethical and good business practices.
Stephanie Nicholl, Compliance Officer at Community Finance Ireland said:
“The Social Enterprise Mark recognises and builds the capabilities of social enterprises as sustainable businesses that are dedicated to maximising social impact. The Mark recognises the value of our social impact, specifically with our clients that we work with in the Social Enterprise sector across areas such as sport, arts and heritage, community organisations, faith and church groups and the workspace provision.”
Stephanie further explains the importance of the recognition in the short video below:
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– Community Finance Ireland delivers €4.87 million in support of Dublin communities since 2016 –
Fifty years since the people of Glenasmole took it upon themselves to build a community hub in the local area, Glenasmole Community Association (GCA) is preparing to reopen the doors of the newly renovated community centre. The community-owned building has undergone major refurbishment over the past two years with the support of Community Finance Ireland (CFI).
GCA board member and project manager, John Lee said the newly expanded community space will serve generations to come:
“Our ambition with this refurbishment project was to create a space which will serve young and old and everyone in between from our local area. We’re a small community here and this centre has been at the heart of it for decades but the building itself just hasn’t been fit for purpose. The original hall is now extended to include a kitchen space and meeting rooms, with underfloor heating and full disability access. It’s been a huge project for us but all the work will be worthwhile when we can open the doors to this new warm, inviting space to everyone.”
Photographed at Glenasmole Community Centre are Barry Symes, Head of Community Finance Ireland ROI; Glenasmole Community Association board members John Lee and Angela McCann. Photo Credit: Julien Behal.
After being awarded a Dublin Rural LEADER grant and funding by South Dublin County Council for the planned refurbishments, Glenasmole Community Association approached Community Finance Ireland in 2020 to provide a bridging loan of €292,000 to undertake the works.
John says the bridging loan from CFI brought their dream to reality:
“If it wasn’t for Community Finance Ireland, we wouldn’t be here today. I’m a retired quantity surveyor and I’ve managed building works and budgets my whole career but for our group here – who are all volunteers – the sums we were looking at to get this off the ground were daunting. Because they support volunteer and community groups, CFI didn’t ask us for personal guarantees, and just talking to their team eased the financial fears. Nothing felt unsurmountable after that.”
Visiting the site ahead of completion, Barry Symes, Head of Community Finance ROI, congratulated John and the GCA team on the project’s success. He said:
“At CFI we talk about changemakers – the people in local communities who see an opportunity to create something and go for it. Glenasmole Community Association are the epitome of changemakers from the day they set out to build the original centre from scratch. We’re delighted to have supported GCA in this project and I have no doubt that they’ve created something which will serve the community for their next fifty years and beyond.”
Located just ten miles from O’Connell Street, Glenasmole is a small, rural community in the Dublin mountains. In 1972, the newly formed GCA purchased and erected a second-hand, pre-cast concrete pavilion, completing ancillary works in 1974. Built and run entirely by volunteers, the community hall became a hub for all generations, providing a much-needed space for Mother and Baby Groups, Youth Clubs, Drama Group productions, as well as a HSE-funded Health Clinic.
Photographed at Glenasmole Community Centre are local youths Benjamin and Oscar Carey, and Michael Morell. Photo Credit: Julien Behal.
With the building works almost complete, the GCA has their sights set on the surrounding areas with plans to develop walkways and biodiverse landscapes in a 5-acre plot that has been purchased for community-ownership.
John said:
“There are people who grew up in Glenasmole and spent their childhood running wild in the mountains, who have moved away and now bring their own kids back to visit – we want them to think of this centre as their home too, to meet and reconnect with the community and the beautiful surroundings we have here.”
The festive season is a time for reflection, for love and cheer, for making memories and spending quality time with family and friends. It is also a time for community and for charity.
The cost of living crisis continues to affect people across the island of Ireland, but also social enterprises and businesses striving to deliver social impact in the Community and Voluntary Sector.
As you contemplate your Christmas list this year, why not consider some of the gifts and activities that support social enterprises in your area? Delivered by volunteers and community champions, these home-grown experiences and products are great gift ideas, and will also deliver social impact to communities that are local to you in Munster.
Here are just a few ideas for you to think about:
Terryglass Community Hall, Co. Tipperary
Learn how to cook delicious mince pies and pick up tips on how to perfect your favourite festive snacks with TV Celebrity Chef Catherine Leyden (Ireland AM). Catherine comes to Terryglass Community Hall for a one-off festive cookery evening on Wednesday 30th November.
Tickets are priced at €25.00 and can be purchased through the group’s facebook page or in the Derg Inn Shop.
Sailing Into Wellness, Co. Cork
Sailing into Wellness is a not for profit social enterprise born out of a passion to utilize the unique setting of the sea to help our communities. The organisation’s vision is for Sailing into Wellness to be a healthy natural solution for our communities to look after their physical and mental well-being and it is their mission to use the sea to inspire change in our communities.
Sailing Into Wellness is open to everyone and could be the perfect solution to help de-stress after the Christmas period, or offer an opportunity for something to look forward to in the slow month of January. To find out more or to enquire about a booking, visit their website.
Sneem Digital Hub, Co. Kerry
Sneem Digital Hub has something for everyone – employees, employers, remote workers and small business owners. The Hub is a modern and stylish facility with competitive packages and state of the art facilities available in a rural locale to suit your requirements.
During the winter months, they are running a special discount offer for people living in the local area. To find out more visit their website or contact aidan.murray@sneemdigitalhub.
Christmas Competition
Community Finance Ireland have teamed up with Martin Hurls to offer a £100 voucher to spend on their wares. One lucky winner will win this in our Facebook Competition running in the lead up to Christmas. To be in with a chance of winning simply visit our the Facebook post and follow the instructions to be entered into the draw.
Spending your time and money in these venues and on these products not only helps deliver social impact but is an endorsement that, the local volunteers and committees’ efforts are valued.
#SocialTime is always a good time.
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