Social Enterprise in Rural Communities. Ireland.
O’Shaughnessy, M. and O’ Hara, P. (2013) National Rural Network.
Community Development Enterprises (CDEs) operate through providing broader social and economic benefits to their host communities by engaging in commercial activities.
Based on this definition five case studies are presented with a specific focus on critical success factors and the challenges they face to examine the potential for replication. Key lessons are covered and it concludes that:
‘In each of the cases, there are specific local circumstances that contribute to success and create challenges, but it is the human resources of leadership, strategic and entrepreneurial focus and how they generate the activities listed above that appear to be the common factors. These need to be borne in mind in any consideration of replication potential’.
Realising the potential of rural social enterprise growth across Europe will depend on appropriate policy and support measures.
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