New Social Enterprise & Language Planning Programme

6 January, 2026

min read

This is a ground-breaking new programme to enable Irish and Scottish Gaelic speakers to shape the development of social enterprise and language planning in their regions funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta and Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s.

This programme is primarily for those working in posts funded Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s ‘Gaelic Officers Scheme’ and leaders of Gaeltacht community organisations involved in tourism development or social enterprise or language planning living within the geographical region under the remit Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Údarás na Gaeltachta (Údarás) is the regional development authority responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking regions) with the overall objective of maintaining Irish as the communal language of the region. The Údarás endeavours to achieve that objective by funding and fostering a wide range of enterprise development and job creation initiatives and by supporting strategic language, cultural and community based activities.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig leads national-level policy implementation in Scotland, delivering funding schemes that promote Gaelic usage across education, arts, and society dedicated to preserving and promoting Gaelic-language communities.

The programme will help aspiring and current leaders to understand the rapidly changing nature of social enterprise and language planning, and the critical role they can play in the development of these, and ensure that initiatives are market-led, sustainable and collaborative. We will explore social enterprise and language planning in detail, presenting practical examples, and uncovering the impact on your local place and people.

You will engage in cross-cultural learning to understand how lessons from the Irish Gaeltacht are relevant to current discussion in Scotland around the ‘Areas of Linguistic Significance’ as outlined in the Scottish Languages Act 2025. Meanwhile, Irish learners will connect with those working in place-based social enterprises with a strong connection to the Gaelic language in Scotland and gain learning which can be applied in your own contexts.

Who should apply?

Those who are:

  • working in posts funded Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s ‘Gaelic Officers Scheme’
  • leaders of Gaeltacht community organisations involved in tourism development or social enterprise or language planning
  • fluent in Irish or Scottish Gaelic

Dates

  • Residential programme in Galway
    Tuesday 24 – Thursday 26 March 2026
  • 2 x online guest speaker sessions on Thursday evenings via Zoom
    Dates TBC
  • Residential programme on Lewis
    Tuesday 26 – Thursday 28 May 2026

Cost

  • Accommodation, meals, travel expenses, and programme fees are funded.

More Information