1st September 2022: Five community groups in Carlow, Wexford and Kilcoole have received a quick cash injection thanks to the RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
Established by NBI Chairman and technology entrepreneur, David McCourt, RISE is providing monthly grants across the country for community groups, small businesses and social enterprises in rural communities seeking to boost their digital ecosystems.
Receiving the grants of €1000 each were the Ballycanew Ballyoughter Community Development Association, with plans to support the FabLab which provides access to modern technology while fostering innovative, technological, entrepreneurial and digital skills; Bree Community Development Group, will look to update its website and develop a social media presence and booking system for their facilities; Brockagh Resource Centre, plan to use the funding for a smart wall mounted flat screen TV to facilitate virtual meetings; Wexford Farmers Market, also plan to upgrade its website and social media presence; and lastly, 121 Digital, which will use the funding to provide its 121digital program and on-site training to a college/school.
David McCourt, founder of RISE and Chairman of NBI, commented: “When we launched the RISE Community Fund supported by NBI, we were looking for community groups, 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 up applications in Carlow, Wexford and Kilcoole, the response has been incredible and now we’re excited to be awarding grants to our four successful applicants. Each one of them is an inspiration, volunteering their time and committing a huge amount of energy and passion to bring pride of place to their local community.”
Following the route of the NBI deployment, The RISE Community Fund supported by NBI calls on small businesses, community groups and social enterprises to use technology in creative and entrepreneurial ways to deliver maximum impact.
Storm Piper O’Neill from the Brockagh Resource Centre commented: “We are delighted to receive this grant from the RISE Community Fund and NBI. As a small community, we work incredibly hard to raise money so that we can continue delivering a growing number of services, and this grant money is going to help us bring in new technology which is critical to our plans. We’re very excited to be able to put this money to good use.”
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 Carlow, Wexford and Kilcoole.”
Read more about the Community Fund at riseglobalfoundation.com