International Conference on Social Enterprise held by Oakfield Trust in Dublin City

May 2023

On Wednesday May 24, 2023, Oakfield Trust hosted an International Conference on Social Enterprise, entitled ‘Social Enterprise: Achieving Real Social Impact and Developing the Space’, in the warm surroundings of the Wood Quay Venue in Dublin City.

The event was attended by over 90 guests from all aspects of the third sector including many high-profile figures from social enterprises, community organisations, the Department of Rural and Community Development, funding organisations and advocacy organisations.

As well as stirring speeches from inspirational social enterprise founders and leaders, it also featured two extremely thought-provoking panel discussions entitled “Achieving Real Social Impact” and “Developing the Space”.

Speaking at the conference was CEO and Founder of Grace Chocolates, Joyce Murray, which is a Scottish Social Enterprise. Joyce spoke passionately about the origins of Grace Chocolates, their activities, and their impressive social impact. She made a tremendous impression on the audience. She told delegates how the chocolates are handmade by women who have touched the criminal justice system and are choosing to make positive changes in their lives.

“Through making and selling our delicious chocolates the women receive training and work experience. As well as building transferable skills our positive learning environment equips them with the skills they need to build resilience, self-esteem and confidence which supports them as they journey to fulfil their potential.”

Also speaking at the event Sensational Kids CEO Karen Leigh identified measures which Government could take to help grow the sector.

“Social Enterprises are often supported via a range of third-party project specific funding streams, however there can be an ongoing shortage in funding for core management to run and grow the organisation. The government has a role to play here and could do more to encourage established social enterprises to develop and grow.

“Multi-annual core funding is required for planning and certainty. Greater security for social enterprises would also support the recruitment of skilled people when trying to compete with longer term employment contracts which other sectors can offer.”

Sensational Kids is an award-winning social enterprise has been supported by Oakfield Trust. It provides therapeutic supports for children with additional needs, ensuring that these children have access to vital supports when and where they need them.

The panel discussions were extremely engaging and provided valuable thoughts and feedback around challenging areas such as raising funding, misunderstandings about social enterprise, growth areas, policymaking, governance, legal structures and recognition of social enterprises, illustrating social impact, readying for the supply chain, public awareness around social enterprise, exit strategies and rewards/incentives for social enterprise founders, and a big conversation about the clear need for tailored business support for social enterprises.

Oakfield Trust is a Clondalkin based social enterprise which uses its profits to support businesses whose core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact.

Oakfield Chairperson Aileen O’Donoghue said the Clondalkin based organisation has this year launched a new ‘open’ Social Enterprise fund of €25,000 which will run twice a year for at least three years, totalling €150,000.

The conference was expertly moderated by the Managing Director of the international Hayes Culleton Group, Susan Hayes Culleton, known as ‘The Positive Economist’. She kept everything flowing so well, and somehow kept our very energetic panel guests in line!

Catering was provided by the excellent Third Space in Dublin who are a social enterprise located in the city, and we also had some very creative conference schedules provided to us by Recreate Ireland, which were printed on reusable brown bags – they got a lot of compliments!

The buzz at the event was fantastic, and feedback from the attendees was excellent. Many conversations were started (which are still continuing) and many new connections were made, which will hopefully strengthen the commitment in the sector to develop social enterprise and keep it on the upward trend amid a constantly challenging environment. As we speak, the wheels are turning to implement solutions to the many issues that arose.

We look forward to holding our next event in the near future to build on the success of this one.

Oakfield Trust is registered charity and has been successfully supporting community organisations and social enterprises for 26 years.