Ireland has a healthy and growing social economy, where business focuses on social good not profit. These are some alternative choices for some services in Ireland that provide ethical, people-centred options.
Below is a selection of these enterprises…
Urban Food Co-op
Their mission is to serve our community by providing the best quality organic, ecologically sourced food at the most affordable prices.
Donore Credit Union
Our local financial co-operative, Donore Credit Union, provide an ethical savings and loans service to those within their common bond.
Community Power
A community-led energy supplier, Community Power source their energy from renewable and community-owed energy co-operatives, and offer a simple pricing structure.
Urban Co-op Limerick
A vibrant community grocery co-operative serving Limerick City, the Urban Co-op is a fast growing co-operative with a fantastic network of local producers.
We Make Good
A social enterprise based in the heart of Dublin, selling quality design products produced by people from marginalised communities.
Quay Co-op Cork
The best place in Cork to find organic, vegetarian, sustainable food - this worker-led co-operative serves the city from across its many locations and more recently delivering across Cork.
Open Food Network
The Open Food Network co-operative provides a decentralised online marketplace where local food hubs and producers come together to provide access to wholesome and sustainable food.
Sonairte
A community hub enabling people to live more sustainably to address the twin environmental crises the world currently faces – the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis.
Green Restoration Ireland
An innovative co-operative bringing together consumers, business and willing landowners to sequester carbon through land restoration.
Belfast Food Co-op
Having started early in 2020, the Belfast Food Co-op is building up a regular pop-up-shop in North Belfast where you will be able to purchase healthy, organic, ethically produced and fairly traded food with low-waste packaging for a reasonable price.
The Common Ground
A co-operative, community-based group, located in Bray, County Wicklow, dedicated to promoting a co-operative, mindful and ecological lifestyle. Members can join a monthly bulk order.
Boundary Brewing Co-op
Boundary Brewing was established in 2014 and is a Cooperative brewery, shaped and run by its own members. At the core of the brewery is the drive to produce brews inspired by both Belgian and US beers and styles.