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 Galway

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 Galway. 

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 Galway with the deadline closing on Tuesday 28th February 2023. Up to five grants of €1000 will be available to successful applicants across the county.

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

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 Galway, 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 Galway.”

NBI is reminding Galway 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.