Tara Collins, chief marketing officer at NBI; David McCourt, chairman at NBI; Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys; and Peter Hendrick, CEO at NBI.

RISE Community Fund opens grant applications in Cavan

Money available for groups seeking to improve digital systems

Grants are available for small businesses, community groups and social enterprises in Cavan and surrounding townlands to improve their digital systems.

The RISE Community Fund is inviting applications under the programme, which is supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the National Broadband Plan (NBP).

Following the route of NBI’s deployment of its new high-speed fibre broadband network, Cavan is the first location to benefit from the RISE Community Fund. Up to five grants of €1000 will be available to successful applicants.

Established by NBI chairman and technology entrepreneur, David McCourt, RISE is providing monthly grants across the country to give an immediate cash injection into local communities seeking to boost their digital ecosystems.

“The RISE Community Fund supported by NBI is calling on small businesses, community groups and social enterprises in Cavan and the surrounding areas to submit their plans to use technology in creative and entrepreneurial ways to deliver maximum impact.

"We know there are some amazing people doing extraordinary things to bring value to their local community in Cavan, and we’re hoping to accelerate and scale their ambitions with the support of these grants,” said Mr McCourt.

Small businesses, community groups and social enterprises with plans to use technology to scale their operations and bring tangible benefits to their local communities are encouraged to visit www.riseglobalfoundation.com for entry forms and guidelines. A full list of the townlands surrounding Cavan that are eligible to apply for grants are available at the RISE website.