MERSE Webinar: Supporting social enterprise through sustainable development

Описание: Webinar on November 27th 2025:
Supporting social enterprise through sustainable development

INTRODUCTION
Social enterprises play a vital role in creating fair and accessible employment opportunities. This webinar brings together experts, municipalities and regional bodies to share practical strategies, funding insights and collaborative models that strengthen cooperation across sectors. Join us to learn, connect and contribute to shaping a more inclusive economy.

ORGANIZERS
MERSE: Údaras Na Gaeltachta (Ireland), Coompanion (Sweden).

WHO IS THIS WEBINAR FOR?
Social enterprises
Municipal and regional representatives
Employers and business leaders
Civil servants and policymakers

LANGUAGE
English

WHAT THIS WEBINAR COVERS
The webinar was expertly moderated by Pelle Persson, Coompanion, Sweden, who guided the participants through a program of presentations and discussions. Five speakers from Sweden and Ireland was featured, each sharing practical insights and inspiring examples:

Sara Wallentin, Coompanion, Sweden, introduced the participants to NOI – Node for Inclusion initiative, a project addressing gaps in the labor market by connecting employers with individuals who often remain excluded. Through recruitment support, social procurement and training, NOI helps businesses embrace diversity while strengthening local economies.

Effie Kourlos, Östersund Municipality, Sweden, highlighted how the municipality collaborate with social enterprises through Innovative Partnership Agreements (IOPs). She showcased projects like Hej Främling (Hi Stranger in english) which has created opportunities for asylum seekers to meet locals, build networks and access the labor market, turning inclusion into a driver of societal growth.

Micheál Ó Conghaile, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Ireland, presented the work of the Community Development Unit, which supports 35 cooperatives across Gaeltacht regions. He shared nine successful examples of local social enterprises, ranging from biodiversity projects to cultural initiatives, illustrating how local innovation can sustain both economy and heritage.

Anne Graham, Western Development Commission, Ireland, discussed powerful financial tools such as community loans to enable social enterprises to start and scale. Anne emphasized the importance of building ecosystem supports and shared good and inspiring practices from Ireland.

Clare Allen, Rethink Ireland, Ireland, introduced the concept of social innovation hubs, focusing on new solutions and collaborative models that strengthen the social enterprise sector.

ABOUT THE MERSE PROJECT
MERSE stands for: Business Models Empowering Rural Social Entrepreneurship – voicing the rural norm. Where public efforts and private companies do not reach, local communities often place their hopes in initiatives from local social entrepreneurs. Now the differences and similarities in social entrepreneurship in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Ireland will be studied.

MERSE brings together 20 partners and associate partners from Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden, and is co-funded by the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme along with the Regions of Jämtland Härjedalen and Västernorrland.

VISIT THE MERSE PROJECT WEBSITE
https://www.interreg-npa.eu/projects/...