On January 20th 2022, Rethink Ireland ran virtually the Social Enterprise Development Fund Showcase 2022, where they noted the impact achieved by their 2021 Awardees, reflected on the last four years of the fund, discussed, and explored social enterprise in Ireland.
The Social Enterprise Development Fund 2018 - 2022 is a €3.2 million Fund, created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with Local Authorities Ireland and funded by IPB Insurance and the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund. Amongst the social enterprises showcased at this event was Revamp 3R Store.
Upcycling and Reuse Innovative
Revamp 3R Store, is a well-established Social Enterprise of the Longford Employment, Development, and Information Centre (EDIC) delivering an innovative furniture upcycling and reuse initiative and recently paint recycling.
Established initially in 2002 as a training project for long-term unemployed young people. In 2003, the project expanded and now strives to promote and advocate for the re-use of unwanted high-quality low-cost household furniture to people living in Co Longford and the surrounding environs.
Revamp 3R store provides ongoing support to address issues of high unemployment and social exclusion through the provision of practical skills training, employment opportunities and tailored support.
A Social enterprise whose core objective is to achieve a social, economic, and environmental impact, through the recycling and upcycling unwanted goods and the provision of additional services.
- Really addressing social exclusion and poverty, provide jobs, training, and volunteering opportunities.
- Adding value’ to the local social economy through jobs and services and helping those on low incomes.
- Through reuse and recycling, both of which are diverting waste from landfill, and encouraging more sustainable lifestyles by enhancing the reuse economy.
Revamp 3R Stores aim is to become the first Centre of excellence for the circular economy in the Midlands Region through the promotion of upcycling, community education and jobs creation, and by continuing to support the community by keeping materials/products in-use in the economy for as long as possible.
For further information about REVAMP 3Rstore their website is linked here.
Employment, Development, and Information Centre (EDIC)
Revamp 3R Stores grew out of the work of the EDIC, an organisation whose main purpose is to provide the people of County Longford with equal opportunities in education, training and employment and help individuals realise their full potential. Established in 1998, EDIC has established links with local and national agencies and are an affiliate of the INOU, where a member of staff is an elected representative to the National Executive Committee.
EDIC recognises that the most effective route out of poverty and social exclusion for unemployed people, and those reliant on welfare payments, is access to decent employment combined with the knowledge, capacity, and ability of the individual to take up such employment opportunities. We provide a wide range of services and supports to unemployed people and people in receipt of other Social Welfare payments.
The Centre and its staff are committed to the empowerment and development of its people, so they can avail of education, training, information, and employment opportunities that will benefit themselves, their families, and the wider community. The work of the Centre is dedicated to the social, economic, and environmental growth of the community by providing opportunities to empower individuals in making informed choices about their own education, training, and employment needs, while creating greater awareness of sustainability and the circular economy.
For urther information about the EDIC their website is linked here.
If you wish to read more about the impact of the Social Enterprise Development Fund the pdf download is linked here.