Annual Social Enterprise Conference 2026
Description
Annual Social Enterprise Conference 2026
Thursday, 19th November 2026
City North Hotel, Co. Meath
Theme: Ireland, Europe & Social Enterprise
The Annual Social Enterprise Conference 2026 will take place on Thursday, 19th November, marking International Social Enterprise Day.
With Ireland holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026, this year’s theme is: Ireland, Europe & Social Enterprise
The conference will bring together social entrepreneurs, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, community leaders and other stakeholders from Ireland and across Europe to explore the future of social enterprise and the opportunities for greater collaboration.
As part of Ireland’s EU Presidency programme as an Associated Event, the conference provides a unique opportunity to showcase Ireland’s social enterprise sector within a wider European context, learn from experience across Europe and build new relationships between Irish and European stakeholders
The main conference will take place at the City North Hotel, Co. Meath, conveniently located approximately 20 minutes from Dublin Airport.
What to Expect
The conference will feature contributions from Irish and European speakers, practical examples from social enterprises, policy discussions and opportunities to connect with others working across the sector.
Participants will have opportunities to:
Hear from leading Irish and European voices in social enterprise
Explore emerging policy and practice across Ireland and Europe
Learn from practical examples of social enterprise in action
Meet social entrepreneurs, policymakers, funders and sector leaders
Build relationships and explore opportunities for future collaboration
Agenda
- 9:15 am - 10:00 am
Registration & European networking breakfast
- 10:00 am - 10:10 am
Welcome from Conference MC
Dr. Mamobo Ogoro, GORM Media
- 10:10 am - 10:30 am
Minister's Opening Address
Minister Jerry Buttimer T.D.
- 10:30 am - 11:25 am
The EU Opportunity: What’s Coming Next for Social Enterprises? Funding, policy and opportunities emerging from the EU’s next chapter
Sarah De Heusch, Director, Social Economy Europe Wieteke Dupain, CEO, Euclid Network Patrizia Bussi, CEO, ENSIE Rebecca Sunnus, EES Facilitated by Philip O'Donnell, LDCN
- 11:25 am - 11:45 am
Keynote: Why Europe Needs Social Enterprise to Compete, Innovate & Thrive
Séamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
- 11:45 am - 12:20 pm
Europe in Action: How Irish Social Enterprises Are Benefiting from EU Support — and Delivering for Europe
Ada Freaney, Airfield Estate Máirtín Ó Méalóid, Ecovision Thomas McCabe, Siel Bleu Ireland Facilitated by Emily Nelson The Wheel/Access Europe
- 12:20 pm - 12:25 pm
What’s Really Happening in Social Enterprise Across Europe? Launch of the European Social Enterprise Monitor (ESEM)
Toby Gazeley, Euclid Network
- 12:25 pm - 12:30 pm
What We’ve Heard — and What’s Coming Next
Dr. Mamobo Ogoro, GORM Media
- 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch, Connections, Opportunities & Gaeilge: Meet the People Who Can Help Your Social Enterprise & Pop-Up Gaeltacht
12 exhibitors will be available in the Marketplace of Supports, including: Pobal, ISEN, Clann Credo, Carmichael, Western Development, SERI, InterTradeIreland, The Wheel/Access Europe, New Solutions, Community Finance Ireland, Rethink and LDCN.
- 1:30 pm - 1:45 pm
What’s Changing for Social Enterprise in Ireland? Progress on the National Social Enterprise Policy
Bairbre Nic Aongusa, Assistant Secretary General, DRCDG
- 1:45 pm - 2:00 pm
Formal Launch: The State of Social Enterprise in Ireland: What the 2026 National Social Enterprise Census Tells Us
Michael McLoughlin, Amárach Research Lorraine Corcoran, SERI
- 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Big Question: How Do We Make Social Enterprise More Financially Sustainable? A practical conversation about trading, funding, costs, capacity and what needs to change (includes 20 mins of contribu
Lucie Cunningham, CEO, HomeShare John Logue, CEO, SERI Marta Bruschi, Head of Stakeholders Engagement, Diesis Gerry Higgins, CEO, Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) Facilitated by Agnes O'Shaughnessy, Rethink Ireland
- 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Breakout Labs: (1) Turning Evidence into Funding (2) Winning More Public Contracts (3) Keeping Money Local
(1) Steven O'Connell, Richard Bruton, Sorcha Killian, Richard Deane, William Parnell (2) Fergal Grogan, Sam Marchetti (3) Seán McCabe
- 4:00 pm - 4:10 pm
From Policy to Practice: A Social Entrepreneur’s Perspective on What We Need Next
Fionn Kidney, Common Knowledge
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
