WDC announced as key partner in new national consortium
The Western Development Commission (WDC) has been announced as a key partner in a new national consortium delivering the New Solutions Social Innovation Hub – a €2.8 million initiative launched by Minister of State Jerry Buttimer.
The New Solutions programme is designed to enhance Ireland’s social innovation ecosystem by fostering active inclusion, promoting equal opportunities and participation, and improving employability for disadvantaged groups through the social enterprise model.
At the centre of the programme is the creation of a new Social Innovation Hub, which will provide capacity-building supports, an Ideas Academy for developing new social innovations, grant funding for projects at both pilot and scaling stages, as well as activities focused on awareness-raising, ecosystem development and impact learning.
The Hub will be delivered by a consortium led by Rethink Ireland, working in partnership with the Western Development Commission, Dublin City University, the Local Development Companies Network, Údarás na Gaeltachta and The Wheel.
“The launch of the New Solutions Social Innovation Hub is an exciting step forward in how we support social innovation in Ireland. The Hub will act as a one-stop-shop for the sector and support innovative initiatives that can address social challenges and deliver transformative change for communities,” said to Jerry Buttimer, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission, added: “This announcement is a strong endorsement of the potential of the west and northwest to lead in social enterprise and inclusive innovation. The Social Innovation Hub aligns closely with our strategy 'Unlocking Potential, Driving Change', and represents real progress on our social enterprise and innovation pillar. We look forward to working with our partners and with our parent department to turn this funding into tangible outcomes for communities across the region.”
Anne Graham, social enterprise and innovation manager at the WDC, commented: “The New Solutions Social Innovation Hub will be an important driver of collaboration, learning and growth for social enterprises. It will connect people, ideas and supports in a more structured way, helping organisations to scale what works and to develop new approaches that make a difference on the ground.
“For the WDC, this is about enabling a stronger, more resilient social enterprise ecosystem across the west and northwest while contributing to national impact.”
The WDC is committed to the social enterprise and innovation pillar of its new strategy entitled Unlocking Potential, Driving Change: A Strategy for Regional Growth and Collaboration 2025-2029, and believes that the announcement represents a key milestone in delivering on that vision.