A major €1.02 million cross-border project, providing training, coaching and digital tools to help organisations measure and evidence their social impact, has been launched to support social economy organisations across Northern Ireland and the border counties.
Bairbre Nic Aongusa Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Helen Millne Enterprise Evolution, Tony McKibben Department for Communities, Paul Sheridan SEUPB, Lisa McMullan Enterprise Evolution, Fiona Bennington Catalyst
The Social Value Collaborative (SVC) is an innovative partnership between Enterprise Evolution and Catalyst NI, with support from the Department for the Economy (NI) and Women in Business NI. It is funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), delivered through the Empowering Communities investment area, as part of Theme 1: Building Peaceful and Thriving Communities.
Launched at Catalyst on Bedford Street in Belfast, the project will be delivered by Enterprise Evolution and Catalyst, working together to strengthen the capacity of the social economy sector to measure, manage, and maximise social impact.
‘Social value’ captures the wider social, environmental, and economic benefits generated by activities that extend beyond financial return. While these impacts are vital to the individuals and communities that benefit from them, organisations often face challenges when it comes to reporting and evidencing the impact of their work.
SVC addresses this by providing training, coaching, and a digital platform to help organisations capture and report their impact clearly.
Over the next three years, SVC will:
– Train and support 60 social economy organisations.
– Provide access to a digital platform to streamline impact measurement and reporting.
– Enhance procurement readiness, helping organisations access public and private funding.
– Promote equality, shared learning, and collaboration through a dedicated SVC network.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA said: “My department acts as the lead government department for the Voluntary and Community sector, recognising it as a vital partner for achieving social, economic, and environmental goals. This project will support organisations to build their capacity, embrace innovation, and work together with a focus on value and impact, not solely on activities. It has the potential to transform how organisations measure and communicate their value to funders and the communities they serve.”
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, welcomed the announcement.
Minister Calleary said: “I would like to convey my sincere thanks to all individuals who have aided in the progress of the SVC project. It is uplifting to know that my Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, in partnership with the Special EU Programmes Body and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland, will maintain support for this outstanding initiative”.
Minister Buttimer added: “The Institutional Capacity Development Programme ensures that issues related to trust and leadership are supported through collaborative actions. The objective is to build the capacity of organisations to develop new models of service delivery, which contribute to peace and reconciliation.”
SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “Today marks the start of a €1.02 million cross-border partnership that will deliver training, coaching, and digital tools to the voluntary, community, and social business sectors. The concept of social value is growing in importance across public policy, economic development, and community planning.
“The Social Value Collaborative will support organisations to build the skills and confidence needed to capture, assess, and present their impact. The project’s focus on learning, transparency, and continuous adaptation supports the wider outcomes-based approach that sits at the heart of PEACEPLUS.”
Helen Millne, Director of Enterprise Evolution, said: “Enterprise Evolution is pleased to be launching this innovative, community and technology driven solution to support the VCSE sector in Northern Ireland at a critical time. We are grateful to SEUPB for recognising both the challenges facing the sector and the opportunity to strengthen its capacity – helping organisations drive productivity while proving and improving their social impact.
We are launching the Social Value Collaborative at a moment when community organisations and social enterprises are being asked to do more with less. In partnership with Catalyst, we are ensuring that organisations across the region have access to the professional tools, insights, and expertise they need to evidence their value and secure sustainable futures.
Crucially, this initiative is designed to strengthen solidarity across the sector—encouraging organisations to move beyond competition and towards a shared mission. We are proud to be part of a wider suite of programmes dedicated to building lasting peace across Northern Ireland and the border counties. By adopting a networked approach, we can ensure that social enterprises delivering vital work are connected, supported, and equipped to demonstrate the essential role they play in creating a thriving, stable, and truly integrated society.”
Fiona Bennington, Director of Entrepreneurship and Scaling at Catalyst, added: “In the years ahead, it will become increasingly important to effectively measure and clearly report the positive impact that a broad range of initiatives have on people’s lives.
“Too often, deeply meaningful work risks being overlooked simply because it is harder to quantify than more ‘easy-to-measure’ activities. In a world shaped by rapidly evolving technology, political uncertainty and unprecedented global events, understanding and safeguarding human impact is both more critical and more complex than ever. That is precisely why we are so excited about the Social Value Collaboration – its potential to make this impact visible, meaningful and investable, and to strengthen both public and private commitment to truly impactful human wellbeing.”
Voluntary groups, community organisations, and social enterprises interested in taking part in SVC are encouraged to reach out to hello@enterpriseevolution.eu for details on how to apply.
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