Ireland’s leading social enterprises, social entrepreneurs, volunteers, and sector
champions will gather at DANCE Limerick on Friday, 9 October for the National Social
Enterprise Awards 2026, an event dedicated to recognising and celebrating the outstanding
contribution that social enterprises make to communities across the country.
The Awards, delivered on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development
and the Gaeltacht, shine a spotlight on organisations that are tackling social and
environmental challenges while creating jobs, supporting inclusion, strengthening
communities, and building a more sustainable Ireland.
The ceremony will bring together finalists from across a range of categories reflecting the
diversity and impact of Ireland’s social enterprise sector, alongside nominees for the
Lifetime Achievement Award and Social Enterprise Volunteer of the Year Award. The event
will also recognise the individuals whose vision, dedication and leadership have helped
social enterprises flourish in communities throughout Ireland.
Jerry Buttimer TD, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community
Development and the Gaeltacht and at the Department of Transport, who will be
presenting the awards said:
“The National Social Enterprise Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate every social
enterprise operating in Ireland today. Those attending are ambassadors for the sector,
representing the many who are actively working to address important issues at every level.
It is rewarding to see organisations who have been supporting our communities and good
causes for many years, and also inspiring to see new, up-and-coming social enterprises.
These enterprises demonstrate the diversity and vibrancy of the sector. I hope these
awards are an inspiration for others to consider how starting a social enterprise can help
sustain their own communities. By celebrating and recognizing achievement and sharing success
stories, the awards help demonstrate the value that social enterprises deliver in
our communities across Ireland.
I would like to thank the consortium of Local Development Companies Network (LDCN),
SERI, ISEN, and the Wheel for their work with social enterprises, Community Finance
Ireland for their support, the award judges and most importantly the finalists for everything
that they have achieved to get here today. Looking at the standard of the social enterprises
represented at these awards, it’s clear that the sector is doing amazing work and set to
thrive.”
Speaking ahead of the awards ceremony, Máirín Ó Cuireáin, CEO of Local Development
Companies Network (LDCN), said:
“The National Social Enterprise Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable
work being carried out by social enterprises in every corner of Ireland. These organisations
are improving lives, strengthening communities, creating employment opportunities, and
developing innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing our society.
The response to this year’s Awards has been exceptional. The volume, diversity and quality
of applications were extraordinarily high, reflecting the strength, ambition and growing
impact of Ireland’s social enterprise sector.
While the Awards recognise a small number of winners, they also acknowledge the
commitment, leadership and determination of the many people who work tirelessly every
day to deliver positive social change through their organisations. Every finalist and nominee
should be immensely proud of their achievements.”
The National Social Enterprise Awards are sponsored by Community Finance Ireland,
which has played a longstanding role in supporting social enterprises and community
organisations through social finance.
Donal Traynor, CEO of Community Finance Ireland, said:
“Community Finance Ireland is proud to support the National Social Enterprise Awards and
help recognise the organisations and individuals who are creating lasting social impact
throughout Ireland.
Social enterprises demonstrate every day that business can be a force for good. They are
developing practical solutions to local needs, generating employment, promoting
inclusion, and contributing to more resilient communities. These Awards provide an
important opportunity to celebrate that contribution and to acknowledge the dedication of
the people who lead and sustain these organisations.”
We congratulate all finalists and nominees and look forward to celebrating their
achievements in Limerick.”
The National Social Enterprise Awards form part of Trading for Impact, Ireland’s National
Social Enterprise Policy, and are delivered jointly by Local Development Companies
Network, Irish Social Enterprise Network, The Wheel, and Social Enterprise Republic of
Ireland on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the
Gaeltacht.
The awards ceremony will take place at DANCE Limerick Performance Space, St John’s
Church, John’s Square, Limerick, on Friday, 9 October 2026, bringing together social
enterprises, policymakers, funders and community stakeholders from across Ireland to
celebrate excellence in the sector.
Winners and Finalists
Care, Disability & Inclusion
Winner: The Great Care Co-op
Finalists: Vantastic & Neurodiversity Ireland
Climate & Environment
Winner: Education for Sustainability
Finalists: Leave No Trace Ireland & FoodCloud
Education, Training & Work Integration
Winner: Kinia
Finalists: Beauty Business in a Box & The Shona Project
Local & Community Development
Winner: Inishturk Community Club
Finalists: Ballinasloe Area Community Development & Community Roots
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Winner: PsyCare Ireland: Welfare and Harm Reduction
Finalists: Football Cooperative & Parents Plus
Buy Social
Winner: Quality Matters T/A We make Good
Finalists: GORM Media DAC & Kinia
Social Finance
Winner: An Mheitheal Rothar
Finalists: Community Roots & Old Irish Goat Society
Up-and-Coming Social Enterprise
Winner: HUGS Community
Finalists: Someone Like Me & AllSkills Education
Volunteer of the Year
Nelia Rareza
Lifetime Achievement
John P. Murphy
Social Enterprise of the Year 2026
Education for Sustainability