30 June 2023

Community Fund

RISE Community Fund Awards Cash Grants in Limerick

Local primary school and community groups express delight at receiving cash injection to invest in new technologies

30th June 2023: A primary school and five community groups in Limerick have received a quick cash injection to invest in new technology thanks to the RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and Granahan McCourt.

Established by Granahan McCourt and NBI Chairman, David McCourt, RISE is providing monthly grants across the country for rural community organisations seeking to boost their digital ecosystems.

Receiving the grants of €1000 each were the Gerald Griffin NS, with plans to purchase new equipment to support its growing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) initiatives for pupils; Kilmallock Macra, a rural youth organisation which is set to install projector facilities to run educational classes for its members; Adare Recreation & Community Complex CLG, which is investing in new technologies having recently been made a Broadband Connection Point to offer free public access to high speed internet; Kantoher Development Group, which is upgrading its Killeedy Eco Park to offer remote access for the companies using the facility; Tournafulla Community Council, which is upgrading its payment systems in its new community not-for-profit shop; and Dóchas Midwest Autism Support, which is installing technology into its soon-to-open social enterprise providing a café and arts & crafts facility.

David McCourt, founder of RISE and Chairman of Granahan McCourt and NBI, commented: “When we launched the RISE Community Fund, we were looking for community groups, charities, small businesses and social enterprises in rural areas who were exploring how technology could scale the impact of their work. I’m delighted to say that since opening applications in County Limerick, the response has been incredible and now we’re excited to be awarding grants to our successful applicants. Each one of them is an inspiration, with many volunteering their time and committing a huge amount of energy and passion to bring pride of place to their local community.”

The RISE Community Fund supported by NBI and Granahan McCourt calls on small businesses, charities, community groups and social enterprises to use technology in creative and entrepreneurial ways to deliver maximum impact.

Barry O’Halloran from Adare Recreation & Community Complex CLG, commented: “Over the past 15 years we’ve made significant developments to our community owned facilities and recently we were delighted to become a Broadband Connection Point and designated Connected Hub to facilitate remote working. This means that we’re now able to expand and modernise our offering to the local community, and coupled with this grant from RISE, we are being empowered to put in place state-of-the-art technologies for the community to benefit from.”

Peter Hendrick, CEO of NBI, added: “At NBI, we’re on a mission to connect over 1.1 million people in rural Ireland who don’t have access to high-speed broadband to a world-class, superfast network. Whilst connectivity is a vital utility and a critical first step, it alone can’t solve all of the challenges for businesses, community groups and social enterprises trying to expand the positive impact they’re able to have – both to the local community, and to the wider economy. That’s why we’re incredibly excited to engage local communities with the RISE Community Fund and celebrate innovative uses of technology in Limerick.”

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