There has been considerable interest in the social economy programme since its launch in September 2000. To date, there have been 575 applications received from community and voluntary groups for business plan grant support. A total of 446 business plan grants have been approved. There have also been 173 social economy businesses approved for full grant funding. These comprise grant contributions towards the recruitment of a manager and employees, training, capital, accountant and auditor services and overheads.
The social economy enterprises approved are located both in urban and rural areas around the country. There are several examples where complementary supports from other programmes have been sourced which will help enhance the viability of the social economy enterprise. A total of 115 social economy enterprises had commenced operations by the middle of March 2002. These employ 556 grant supported employees. The range of activity which enterprises have been approved for includes management of community facilities, cultural and heritage services, transport services for the disabled, community child care and parental support, support services for the elderly and recycling services.