REVES brings together local and regional authorities with social economy actors to foster inclusive, sustainable, and community-led development across Europe. REVES is a European Network for the Social Economy. This summer and for the first time, not only 1 Social Economy actor in Ireland has joined, rather a region acting in cohesion and collaboration has taken membership - Midlands Just Transition Region. This show of collaborative leadership from the Just Transition Midland Policy Group local shows the appetite in this region:
- to connect together in building strategic partnerships across this region and with European partners
- to influence and inform European policy
- to access funding opportunities, and
- to share innovative practices in social enterprise and community development.
This strengthens our region's commitment and participation to a fair and sustainable transition by connecting us with leading European partners, enabling us to bring international best practice into our communities, and amplifying our regional voice at EU level. The Social Enterprise Exchange team will act as the coordinator for the Midlands Region in partnership alongside Roscommon County Council. Signatories include Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon County Councils, and also supported by Local Enterprise Offices in each county, and Laois Partnership. Social Enterprise Exchange will ensure that participating local organisations and councils fully benefit from peer learning, capacity building, and EU-funded opportunities. Congratulations to our SEE local and regional stakeholders and to our SEE steering group for their support in achieving this milestone, and achieving and demonstrating collaborative leadership.
Minister for Department of Rural & Community Development & the Gaeltacht, Jerry Buttimer TD welcomed the announcement saying: "REVES membership will provide opportunities to build strategic partnerships, share innovative practices with our counterparts in Europe, with a possibility of joining other EU regions to apply for EU funding for Social Economy projects. Social enterprises are deserving of these opportunities. They are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people, and I have seen first-hand the massive impact they have on our urban and rural communities. In Ireland social enterprises employ approximately 85,000 people, with a further 75,000 volunteers involved. This initiative supports the objectives of Trading for Impact National Social Enterprise Policy 2024-2027.”
Social Enterprise Exchange Project Manager, Gabrielle McFadden announced the achievement and added: “Joining REVES is a significant step for the Midlands Just Transition region. It strengthens our commitment to a fair and sustainable transition by connecting us with leading European partners, enabling us to bring international best practice into our communities, and amplifying our voice at EU level.” She added: “We would like to express our sincere thanks to the local authorities across Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, and East Galway who have worked closely with us on this journey, and to our SEE Steering Group members – Galway Rural Development, Irish Rural Link, Western Development Commission, Irish Social Enterprise Network, and Laois Local Enterprise Office – for their vision, guidance, and dedication in advancing social enterprise development across the region.” The Midlands Just Transition region is working to diversify its economy, create quality employment, and foster climate resilience, following the decline of traditional peat-based industries. Membership of REVES will support local authorities, social enterprises, and community organisations in developing innovative, socially responsible projects aligned with EU priorities such as the Green Deal and the European Pillar of Social Rights.
REVES President, Ana Umbelino, congratulated the region, saying: “We are honoured to have you as members of our network. Together we commit to a transition to a fairer, more inclusive, participatory and responsible society all over Europe.
