Galway Community Circus is one of five trailblazing social enterprises awarded to accelerate change under Rethink Ireland’s €700,000 Step-Up Fund.

On Monday, 13th March 2023, Rethink Ireland announced the awardees of its Social Enterprise Step-Up Fund. This is a €700,000 two-year Fund created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with Tomar Trust and the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.

This Fund was set up for established, mid-sized social enterprises with the aim of supporting them to be ready to scale. It focuses on elevated funding for social enterprises at the next stage and will help support and expand the social enterprise ecosystem in Ireland.

“At Galway Community Circus we strive to create connection, empower expression and support social change through the transformative power of circus arts,” said Ulla Hokkanen, Executive Creative Director at Galway Community Circus. “We are thrilled to be an awardee of the Step-Up Fund and the support from Rethink Ireland, Tomar Trust and the Department of Rural and Community Development will enable us to grow our dynamic circus school to 3 locations, share our model of inclusive circus education throughout Ireland and develop and professionalise circus education with our academic, national and international partners. We are so grateful to Rethink Ireland for their support as we play our part in building more socially inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities.”

The Fund will provide critical support to innovative and impactful social enterprises across Ireland, helping them to:

  • Increase their social impact
  • Increase their traded income
  • Create (more) jobs
  • Develop long-term, effective and sustainable solutions

Rethink Ireland provides cash grants and business supports to charities and social enterprises working in Irish communities across the country. The Step-Up Fund focuses on elevated funding for social enterprises at the next stage and aims to directly impact the social enterprise ecosystem in Ireland, supporting and expanding this vital sector to drive change.