Clare social enterprise could serve as example for European project
OBAIR, the Newmarket-on-Fergus community social enterprise, could serve as a blueprint for regional empowerment throughout the European Union.
That’s the view of Clare Fine Gael General Election candidate Leonora Carey who is seeking enhanced EU funding to develop the range of services operated by the group.
“Obair’s social enterprise service model is at the heart of the community, providing a meals-on-wheels service across the county, a community crèche, after-school and post primary education programmes, remote working hubs, environmental services and a youth café along with the Tradaree Enterprise Centre and the O’Regan Park,” she explained.
“I was delighted to introduce my Fine Gael party colleague Nina Carberry MEP to the wide range of services provided by Obair during her visit to Clare last Saturday when we were given a great insight into.this outstanding community enterprise by Jennie Dowds and Erica Long.
“This is the kind of community initiative that should be at the heart of the EU’s regional development programme and it is important that activities such as the meals-on-wheels service and the training courses provided by the Tradaree Enterprise Centre receive the level of funding required to achieve their full potential
“If I’m elected to the Dáil, one of my main priorities will be to strengthen Clare’s communities and economy. Working with our MEPs to secure new funding streams from Europe to support initiatives such as Obair will be key to achieving this.
“Established in 1993 to address the high levels of unemployment that prevailed at the time, Obair’s main commitment was to encourage local people to take greater responsibility for development in the area. The group was fortunate to have a number of highly skilled and highly motivated community activists involved who directed new projects and secured resources for the group.
“Along with its role in local development and enterprise, Obair also fulfils a significant social directive by supporting families, older people and those who are experiencing isolation. Given its broad scale of involvement across all areas of community activity, I am convinced that Obair could serve as a blueprint for regional empowerment right across the European Union,” Ms Carey added.
PHOTO CAPTION: Jennie Dowds, Nina Carberry, Leonora Carey and Erica Long outside the Obair centre in Newmarket-on-Fergus.