The inaugural meeting of the Co. Monaghan Social Enterprise Network was successfully held on 30 January 2026 at Íontas Theatre, Castleblayney. The event brought together 34 participants, including representatives from 19 social enterprises and a wide range of key local and national support agencies.
The meeting marked a significant milestone in the development of a collaborative, member-led network aimed at supporting the growth, sustainability, and impact of social enterprises across County Monaghan. The event was facilitated by Monaghan Integrated Development CLG (MID) under the SICAP Social Enterprise Supports.
Networking and Opening Session
The event commenced with an informal networking session, providing participants with the opportunity to connect, exchange experiences, and begin building relationships with fellow social enterprises and support organisations.
Kilian Cawley, CEO of Monaghan Integrated Development CLG, officially opened the event. In his welcome address and keynote presentation, he outlined MID’s strategic priorities, operational role, and long-term commitment to supporting social enterprise development in County Monaghan. He emphasised the importance of collaboration, sustainability, and local leadership in strengthening the sector.
Co. Monaghan Social Enterprise Strategy and Terms of Reference
Francis McCarron, Community Development Team Leader, highlighted the Co. Monaghan Social Enterprise Strategy, linking its key recommendations to the establishment of the Social Enterprise Network. He introduced the draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for the network and facilitated a discussion to gather feedback from participants. This session ensured that the network would be shaped by its members from the outset and reflect shared priorities and values.
Guest Speaker Sessions
A series of expert presentations followed, offering practical insights, examples of good practice, and information on current and emerging opportunities for social enterprises.
John Logue, CEO of Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI), delivered an eye-opening presentation on social procurement, supported by practical examples. He introduced Sphere, SERI’s AI-powered social procurement platform, and highlighted opportunities for social enterprises arising from: The growth of social procurement, Technology-enabled competition, and the unique advantages of social enterprises. This session generated strong interest and discussion among participants.
Martin McDevitt, Community Development Manager at Donegal Local Development Company, shared practical experience of shared resources, focusing on a case study where three social enterprises jointly employed a bookkeeper. He outlined best practice, lessons learned, and challenges, leading to an engaging Q&A session covering HR procedures, governance, and data management.
Johnny Sheehan, Member Engagement Manager at The Wheel, outlined the wide range of supports available to social enterprises, including Capacity-building and training, Funding information and newsletters, National Social Enterprise Network membership, Social innovation hubs, Support for accessing EU funding, and Organisational policy and governance supports.
Tracey Hannon, Regional Manager (Connacht/Ulster) at Clann Credo, introduced Clann Credo and its financial supports for social enterprises, supported by two case studies. She provided an overview of available loan products, including LEADER Loan Fund, Climate Action Loan Fund, Sports Loan Fund, and Community Impact Loan.
Brendan Mulry from Irish Rural Link introduced the RiSE – Unlocking the Potential of Rural Innovation and Social Enterprise project, outlining its three strands: Social Enterprise Leadership & Development, Development and expansion of rural social enterprises, and Youth Social Enterprise.
Liza Hackett, Project Coordinator for Future Fit at MID, presented on capacity-building and sustainability supports available through the Future Fit project.
Jeyald Rasaratnam, Community Enterprise Development Officer at MID, provided an overview of the SICAP Social Enterprise Grant, including eligibility criteria and the application process.
Next Steps For The Network
- Mapping local, national, and EU funding opportunities
- Conducting a Training Needs Analysis for social enterprises
- Holding quarterly network meetings in 2026 (30 January, 24 April, 21 August, and 27 November)
- Developing joint funding proposals at national and EU levels
- Creating a Co. Monaghan Social Enterprise Directory to share with members
- Developing a new Co. Monaghan Social Enterprise Strategy
- Agreeing a Five-Year Network Plan
Closing And Outcomes
Kilian Cawley, CEO of MID, formally closed the event, thanking all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions. He emphasised the importance of long-term sustainability, collaboration, and collective ownership of the network.
As a clear call to action, participants agreed that the network will next meet on 24 April 2026 to progress the agreed actions and next steps.
Attendees
The meeting was attended by representatives from Monaghan County Council, LEO Monaghan, Community Finance Ireland, Irish Rural Link, Cavan Local Development Company, Monaghan Volunteer Centre, and Monaghan Migration Centre, along with 19 social enterprises, bringing total attendance to 34 participants.
Conclusion
The inaugural meeting of the Co. Monaghan Social Enterprise Network was highly successful, demonstrating strong demand, meaningful engagement, and a shared commitment to collaboration. The event laid solid foundations for a sustainable, member-led network that will play a key role in strengthening social enterprise development in County Monaghan in the years ahead.