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Join a pilot to shape the future of social enterprise accreditation in Ireland
Become one of the first 100 social enterprises in Ireland to participate in a groundbreaking pilot project to investigate the challenges and merits of voluntary accreditation for social enterprises in Ireland.
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This project is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD)
What problem are we trying to solve?
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Of the biggest challenges we collectively face is a lack of understanding of social enterprise. This lack of understanding has consequences, including:
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Inaccessible business supports
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Inability to access funding opportunities
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Struggle to access social procurement opportunities
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Lack of access to pro bono and discounted supports available to charities
How will this pilot seek to address this problem?
This groundbreaking pilot project, spearheaded by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) in partnership with Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI), will work with 100 social enterprises to test the potential of voluntary accreditation, a ‘quality mark’, for social enterprises.
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People & Planet First is a robust verification framework which has been in existence since 2021 and is adopted in 130+ counties. Think of it like a ‘Guaranteed Irish’ mark for social enterprises which is recognised globally.
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The verification focuses on five core standards to keep assessment costs low, bridge language divides and legal differences and open global opportunities for all enterprises that put people and planet first.
The five standards are:
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Purpose: Exists to solve a social and/or environmental problem.
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Operations: Prioritises purpose, people and planet over profit in operational decisions.
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Revenue: Has a self-sustaining revenue model.
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Use of surplus: Reinvests the majority of any surplus towards its purpose.
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Structure: Chooses legal structures and financing that protect and lock-in purpose long-term.
Within each standard there are five levels ranging from no evidence through to full demonstration that the standard is met. P&P provides the interface and operations while the country partner verifies the application at a local level.
Why should I participate?
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You will help the sector understand the challenges and benefits of verification and how this applies to social enterprises in Ireland - what do we need and why
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Your involvement will directly influence inform and provide evidence around future supports, funding opportunities and procurement processes as outlined in policy measures #15, #24, #27, and #33 of the National Social Enterprise Policy.
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You will help raise the profile of social enterprises, bridging the gap between consumers and businesses looking for socially and environmentally responsible partners.
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DRCD will cover the cost of your verification for 12 months
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You will join a network of change-makers in over 50 countries under the People & Planet First initiative, led globally by the Social Enterprise World Forum.
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You will achieve recognition that cuts across language and legal barriers, providing your enterprise with the credibility to stand out in both public and private sectors globally.
I’m interested. What happens next?
We invite you to be one of the first 100 social enterprises across Ireland at the forefront of this transformative journey. Express your interest in participating by completing the Expression of Interest by 5:00 PM on Friday, 7th February. After the deadline, we will be in contact to invite you to an information session.