Supports Available for Businesses
There’s a lot of help available for businesses that want to use more Irish, both internally and with their customers. This article summarises the organisations and groups that provide that support; doubtless there is more available locally also. If you have more information on supports, please let us know at peig@cnag.ie and we’ll add to the information below.
And if you’re still undecided about the benefits of using more Irish in your business, maybe this article with 10 reason to use Irish will help.
Údarás na Gaeltachta
The preservation and strengthening of Irish as a living language, as well as passing it on to the next generation is the Údarás’ primary objective, by fostering enterprise development and employment and supporting community, cultural and language-based events. Visit their website for more information on the recommendations, advice, courses, grants, facilities and more that they offer for starting, developing and expanding businesses in the Gaeltacht areas.
Foras na Gaeilge
Foras na Gaeilge provides a wide range of general supporting resources in relation to increasing the visibility of the Irish language in the business environment that are available individually or in the form of a business package. A list of available resources that can be ordered can be found here. The aim of their ‘Gnó Means Business’ initiative is to provide a central source of information to other related parties who wish to use the Irish language as a practical and productive business tool. Visit their website to find out more about the tools, materials, information and other supports available.
Foras na Gaeilge also run funding schemes on different themes throughout the year, many of which focus on business-related funding, such as the ones below:
- The Projects Fund. Foras na Gaeilge welcomes organisations wishing to apply to the Projects Fund. This is a fund which is aimed at areas of work and projects not covered by Foras na Gaeilge schemes and between €1,000/£900 and €12,000/£10,800 is available in grants.
- Business Support Scheme. This scheme supports small and medium-sized commercial enterprises promote Irish in their businesses through signage, packaging, websites and printed marketing material. Eligible businesses will be entitled to seek up to 50% of the total cost through this scheme.
Glór na nGael
Glór na nGael provide support and advice to businesses who use, or would like to use the Irish language in their business model or provide goods and services through Irish.
An integral part of provision to the business sector is the GRADAIM scheme. GRADAIM is an awards scheme designed to highlight, encourage and reward best practice use of the Irish language in business. The GRADAIM award is a mark of excellence in the use of Irish in the business setting – have a look at the 2022 winners here. The gold and silver winners are all to be found on our Business Directory, for example POTA Café.
Regional Supports
Listed below are the groups offering business supports on a more regional basis:
- Gaillimh le Gaeilge provide advice and support for translations, publicity, designs, useful phrases, signs and more. They run the annual business awards, Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh in partnerships with other local groups, to celebrate local business who use Irish daily and to recognise the tremendous efforts they make.
- Líonra Leitir Ceanainn also have a local business awards scheme, Gnó le Gaeilge. Get in touch with them to find out more about their supports and projects for businesses.
- BÁC le Gaeilge offer help and support to businesses taking the first steps towards using Irish in your business? Visit their website for more information on their services and their business support fund.
- Gnó Mhaigh Eo provide encouragement and supports for the Mayo area. Get in touch to find out more.
- Cill Dara le Gaeilge run a business support scheme called Gnó Chill Dara, through which they provide free advice and consultancy to businesses in the county who want to promote Irish, and provide help on new ways to expand businesses – how to run a marketing campaign, or how to get the best use out of social media, for example. They also help foster the network of Irish speakers in the area and the businesses who cater for them locally.
- Skillnet Ireland. Within this group, there are at least 2 training networks that have relevance for Irish – for example, South West Gnó, and Gréasán na Meán.
- City and county councils often offer support and information, similar to this page on Ghaeilge sa Ghnó on the Waterford city council website. It’s worh inquiring at your local city or county council what supports they might offer.
- Local Enterprise Offices. Find the office closest to you here.
If you have more information, please send them to us!
