The RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland is giving cash grants to empower the digital strategies of businesses, farms, community groups and social enterprises across County Mayo

 The RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the National Broadband Plan (NBP), has issued its last call for entries in its programme to deliver grants to small businesses, farms, community groups and social enterprises in Mayo.  

Established by NBI Chairman and technology entrepreneur, David McCourt, RISE is providing monthly grants across the country to give an immediate cash injection into local communities seeking to boost their digital ecosystems.  

Applications for the cash grants are currently open in Mayo with the deadline closing on 31st January 2023. Up to five grants of €1000 will be available to successful applicants across the county. 

“The application process has been made incredibly quick and easy, and successful applicants will be notified by early February, with money following in quick succession. We can’t wait to see the entrepreneurial ideas from Mayo,” said Orla O’Malley, Programme Director at RISE. 

Previous RISE grant recipient, Eoin Heverin, from Foodie Save in Castlebar encouraged business and community groups to apply, saying: 

“Foodie Save’s experience with RISE was fantastic. The funding we received was brilliant in helping us develop our plans to expand nationwide and there was so much more. The people we met from NBI and RISE and all the other recipients were a really supportive network. I would highly recommend anyone thinking of applying for the RISE grant to do so. You’ll be glad that you did.” 

Following the route of NBI’s deployment of its new high-speed fibre broadband network, the RISE Community Fund launched last year to empower people’s plans to use technology.  

David McCourt, founder of RISE and Chairman of NBI, commented: “We know there are some amazing people doing extraordinary things to bring value to their local communities throughout Mayo, and we’re hoping to accelerate and scale their ambitions with the support of these grants.” 

Small businesses, farms, community groups and social enterprises with plans to use technology to scale their operations and bring tangible benefits to their local communities are encouraged to visit www.riseglobalfoundation.com for entry forms and guidelines.  

Peter Hendrick, CEO of NBI, added: “Whilst connectivity is a vital utility and a critical first step, it alone can’t solve all of the challenges for businesses, farms, 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 across Mayo.” 

NBI is reminding Mayo residents to also visit their website at www.nbi.ie to check whether their home, farm or business is included in the National Broadband Plan and to sign up for Eircode specific updates on the rollout.