Page 8 - Marcela Lima

Desk Research

The literature review helped turn my initial observations into a clear research topic. It helped Researchers have noticed the rise of a new type of social This context shows how diverse, growing, and evolving the social enterprise space is in Ireland - and why interaction design

me build a better understanding of social enterprise sector, its ecosystem in Ireland, and entrepreneur in Ireland - people starting fresh initiatives, has a role to play in helping them succeed, especially those newer, smaller or under-supported.
how design can contribute to its development and innovation. This research informed the often alone or in small teams, with innovative ideas. This

early stages of the design process and helped refine my approach. is different from the older, more collective ways of doing
MAINSTREAM SOCIAL things. It also reflects Ireland’s growing start-up culture, Social Enterprises in Ireland
2.1. Social Enterprises BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CHARITY especially in cities and among university graduates.

Social enterprises (SEs) are organisations in-between a traditional charity and the These new SEs are still mission-driven, but often use

mainstream business (see Figure 1). While they generate revenue and may profit similar to modern business tools and networks. (Cannon et al., 2022).
conventional business, their primary goal is to advance a social or environmental mission,
with profits typically reinvested to further this goal. For this study, I use the definition from SE Type Description Examples

the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland (2024-2027):
2.2. Social Enterprises in Ireland Entrepreneurial Traditiovnal Soup kitchen providing

Nonprofit (ENP) non-profits meals for homeless
– Originates in using business people; training
Ireland has a long history with the social economy, going back to the 18th century with mutual interests strategies programmes for

people like Robert Owen, one of the founders of the co-operative movement. However, the disadvantaged youth;
idea of social enterprise, is more recent. It started to appear more clearly in Irish policies mobility service for
wheelchair users.
• A social enterprise is an enterprise whose objective is to achieve a in the 1990s and has been growing in importance ever since. (O’Shaughnessy and O’Hara,

social or environmental impact, rather than maximising profit for its 2016; European Commission, 2020; OECD, 2023). Public Social Provide public Coffee shop for ex-
owners or shareholders. Enterprise (PSE) services, offenders; Knitwear made
– Originates in
by Traveller women;
often through
There is widespread recognition of their growing role in national, regional and local, social and
general/ public employment craft shop for homeless
• It pursues its objectives by trading on an ongoing basis through the economic development. They are increasingly relevant in addressing diverse and complex interest. schemes people.
provision of goods and / or services, and by reinvesting surpluses social, environmental, and economic challenges, and they demonstrate the potential to Social Co-owned Community owned book

fully or primarily into achieving social objectives. create employment opportunities across various demographics (O’shaughnessy, 2014; Cooperative businesses run shop; Sustainable grocery
NESC, 2023; Government of Ireland, 2024). (SC) – by or for the shop; Community Centre;

• It is governed in a fully accountable and transparent manner and is Originates in community Group Water Scheme
with social purpose.
mutual and
independent of the public sector. If dissolved, it should transfer its There are 4 335 social enterprises, with a generated income estimated at EUR 2.34 billion. market interest
assets to another organisation with a similar mission. The sector is most made of micro-(57%) and small (35%) enterprises. SEs represent 3.7% of
the total workforce, employing 84 382 people. 69% of those workers are women reflecting Innovative People who Microcredit lending;

(Government of Ireland, 2024) a trend across OECD countries, “in part the relative specialisation of the social economy Individual (II) create and annual book festival;
implement
removing plastic from
in historically feminised sectors/occupations such as care, health and education (OECD, innovative the sea and making
2023).” Volunteer work is essential to the sector with an estimated 44,501 active volunteers solutions to surfboards.
and 30,324 board members being involved in the sector, totalling 74,825 people, see Figure address social
challenges.
2 (Report Social Enterprises in Ireland A Baseline Data Collection Exercise, 2023).

Process Book Discover 9