The Launch Event

Monaghan Integrated Development has launched its newly developed Social Enterprise Policy Bank. This website was officially unveiled in Castleblayney. Co Monaghan on Nov 14th 2022 with the event hosted at Íontas Arts & Community Resource Centre.

Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development launched the website, which is a resource developed to support the social enterprise sector in Ireland. The event was attended by representatives from existing social enterprises and community-based organisations supporting the social enterprise sector in Ireland.

Policies

Policies once developed help communicate an organisation’s culture, values, and views. Policies can cover several area such as those listed below. They can outline what employees can expect from the organisation (employee benefits, holiday leave, breaks, training, progression opportunities), what the company expects from employees (code of conduct, respect, dignity), and what customers and the community can expect from the organisation (the interaction between the consumer and representatives of the organisation).

The Social Enterprise Policy Bank website contains a set of tailored resources to meet the unique and specific needs of the social enterprise sector in Ireland. The website aims to make it easier for volunteer board members to improve their organisational governance through the provision of a dedicated resource where they can download sample policies and procedures and readily tailor these to their specific organisation.

Philip Isard, Quality Matter provided an overview of the Social Enterprise Policy Bank giving the audience a first taste of what to expect and how the resource can help social enterprises.

Speakers

Following the official launch, there were presentations and discussions on how to grow and diversify social enterprise operations including a presentation on European Funding Opportunities by Emma Murtagh of The Wheel.

Attendees got the opportunity to hear and learn from some existing Not-for-Profit Social Enterprise from around Ireland including

• Dr Oliver Moore, Chairperson, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary.
• Emma Cunningham, Manager, Leitrim Design House, Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
• Micheal Ward, Manager, Mullingar Employment Action Group, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

This was followed by a panel discussion and a question and answers session.

About The Policy Bank

The Social Enterprise Policy Bank was created for social enterprises in Ireland to help with achieving good governance and meeting its statutory and legal requirements. In other words, this website contains a series of free policy guidebooks, templates and other helpful resources to help your organisation with its governance.

The project was developed by Monaghan Integrated Development, Cavan County Local Development and Louth Local Development. The Social Enterprise Policy Bank was approved by the Government and funded by the Dormant Accounts Fund.

Please click www.sepolicybank.ie to visit the website.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT, is an award-winning Dublin-based, not-for-profit, social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by Pobal, the Dormant Accounts Fund, and South Dublin County Council. Recycle IT is authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Leinster.

For further details about our free and cost-effective services call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at www.recycleit.ie

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