Údarás na Gaeltachta Announces Major Research Findings on Social Enterprise Development in the Gaeltacht

19 December, 2025

min read

Údarás na Gaeltachta announced the findings of groundbreaking research into the social economy of the Gaeltacht, undertaken in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast as part of the EmpowerUs Transition Coastal Lab (TCL).

The research reveals that the social enterprise sector in the Gaeltacht generates a Gross Value Added of approximately €21.53 million, supports 585 Full-Time Equivalent jobs, and contributes €15.96 million in salaries per annum. The sector holds significant assets, with a fixed asset base of €27.80 million and tangible assets of €25.50 million.

The study, conducted by Queen’s University Belfast as part of the EmpowerUs project, focused on developing the social economy as a means of resisting external blue growth pressures and retaining investment, jobs, and supply chains within local Gaeltacht communities.

The research program included comprehensive baseline analysis, workshops with social enterprises, and the development of ASSETS – a five-module technical manual designed to support social enterprise start-ups involved in capital projects. The modules cover strategy, assets, operational planning, governance, and finance.

Rónán Mac Con Iomaire, Director of Regional Development, Community & Language, Údarás na Gaeltachta, said:

‘The strong heritage of cooperatives in the Gaeltacht means that we have a solid foundation of social enterprise that provides a livelihood in those communities, that contributes to the local economy and that serves the diverse needs of the community.

‘We are implementing a Gaeltacht-specific Social Enterprise Strategy as we recognise the need to further strengthen this sector, particularly regarding technical support and capacity building.'”

As part of the research, social entrepreneurs and policy managers from the Gaeltacht visited social enterprises in the Scottish Highlands and islands, learning about community-owned energy projects, development trusts, and asset transfer legislation. The delegation also visited coastal social enterprises in Donegal, examining innovative uses of heritage assets like lighthouses for community businesses.

Údarás na Gaeltachta is implementing key recommendations from the research, including:

  • Developing a learning portal with resources specific to coastal Gaeltacht economies
  • Supporting next-generation entrepreneurs through apprenticeships and educational partnerships
  • Advocating for regulatory innovation, including community asset transfer legislation
  • Investing in applied research on emerging opportunities in technology, climate change, and growth sectors
  • Building a stronger network of social enterprises across the wider Gaeltacht

The ASSETS manual and accompanying technical papers are now available at https://empowerus-project.eu/assets/ providing practical guidance for communities developing capital-based social enterprise projects.