About CEAI

CEAI: Powered By Exceptional People Delivering Impactful Change

We are a small independent organisation, committed to supporting the community enterprise sector across the regions. The Association was formed – initially emerging as regional networks (seven regional networks by 2008) and then as a national network in 2008 – to independently represent, facilitate, and advocate on behalf of the sector to government departments and national agencies.

As an independent CLG, CEAI is funded and supported by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Enterprise Ireland in addition to a range of funding and grant sources in Ireland and the EU.

The community enterprise sector in Ireland

Defined by CEAI as the broader enterprise development support ecosystem that arises from the collective efforts and activities of enterprise centres and enterprise hubs. These efforts, spanning various sectors, including food and technology, contribute significantly to creating social and economic impacts within the communities and regions they serve and benefiting Irish society as a whole.

35 years on and with well over €215+ million invested, we are proud of the impact our association members have made. Circa 150 community enterprise centres, enterprise, technology, innovation and sectoral-specific hubs now contribute to regional development and the growth of smart specialisation across Ireland, delivering an estimated impact of €1.8 billion (GVA) to the Irish economy in 2023.

Our Vision

Our Vision is an Ireland where a thriving community enterprise sector – powered by exceptional people delivering impactful change – underpins sustained and balanced regional economic growth.

Our Guiding Principles

CEAI is committed to providing a professional, efficient, and high-quality service. To achieve this, we endeavour to behave in a manner that demonstrates the key principles that are at the core of everything we do:

Purposeful and Impactful Change

Collaboration and Advocacy

Community-Focused and Socially Conscious

Responsible and Sustainable Business Practices

Lifelong Learning

About CEAI

CEAI: Powered By Exceptional People Delivering Impactful Change

The community enterprise sector in Ireland

Our Vision

Our Guiding Principles

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