Charity in cross-party Discovery programme

Charity in cross-party Discovery programme

19 February 2025

A DOWNPATRICK-BASED charity is taking part in a new two-year cross-border programme designed to empower social enterprises.

Life Change Changes Lives — which runs the widely regarded Pop Up Art initiative at its Market Street base — is one of a number of organisations taking part in the International Fund for Ireland-backed Discovery Programme.

The charity’s operations manager, Ailish Teague, has described its involvement in it as an “amazing opportunity”.

The programme offers tailored training in critical areas such as digitalisation and financial management, income generation and revenue growth, strategic partnerships and alliances and cost optimisation and control.

The charity says participating in the programme will enable it to enhance its operational efficiency, strengthen financial sustainability and foster strategic partnerships. 

The training will support LCCL in broadening its capacity to serve the community effectively and sustainably, with the programme’s focus on cross-border relationships and partnerships facilitating collaboration and growth, fostering stronger community connections and resilience.

Those behind the programme say it will equip the charity with essential tools and insights and the Discovery Programme will significantly contribute to the organisation’s mission of driving meaningful change and supporting individuals through innovative, life-enhancing projects.

Participation in the programme is described as an “amazing opportunity” with the initiative aiming to enhance the capacity of social enterprises on both sides of the border to increase their financial sustainability.

It will offer training, mentorship, best practice sharing and access to resources to help social enterprises maximise their social impact through increased financial sustainability, helping deepen North-South links by fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between social enterprises in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The organisers say it will also promote cross-border relations among social enterprises and their representative bodies.

There will be four residentials over the course of the programme. Each of these will be overnight events, with two days of workshops.  Half of the residentials will take place in Northern Ireland and half will take place in the Republic.

The new partnership is being led by Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) and Social Enterprise Northern Ireland (SENI).

The Discovery programme aims to connect and support the leaders of social enterprises as the key drivers of social impact and good community relations work.

International Fund for Ireland chairman, Paddy Harte, said it’s known that social enterprises are playing an increasingly important role contributing to the economic and social landscape.  

“They operate much-needed facilities, providing services, creating employment, working within disadvantaged communities and adding value to all aspects of community life,” he said.

“This IFI funding will provide the building blocks to help social enterprises manage and navigate the challenges around financial sustainability and help develop long-term viable social businesses that will benefit communities.”

Mr Harte said the new programme will establish a shared vision to unite communities rather than divide, working with social enterprises who are facing similar challenges and ultimately play an important role in building long-term cross-border connections.”