Fiontraithe le Gaeilge is an advanced training programme for both private and social entrepreneurs, who are living and working in the border regions. The programme, launched by Minister Ó Cuív last July has been running since November 2005 with part-financing of nearly 600,000 euros by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN Partnership. Match Funding is provided by Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Fiontraithe le Gaeilge was adjudged to be an innovative strategy in the promotion of social entrepreneurship with particular emphasis on the rural economy and the Irish language. It was also adjudged to have potential to be a best-practice model that could be replicated in other minority communities.

The schedule completed, so far, has included several residential study programs in locations in Belfast, Enniskillen Derry, Letterkenny, Gaoth Dobhair, Dublin, Galway and Gleann Cholm Cille. The modules studied comprise law, economics, marketing, accountancy and others that form the HETAC level 6 programme in Advanced Entrepreneurship being offered by the Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

The participants have recently moved on to the mentoring phase which provides them with professional direction on their businesses and allows them to implement a new business plan with the help of their mentor.

The programme continues until the end of the year and will hold its final residential session in the European School of Entrepreneurship in University of St Gallen in Switzerland, in November.

The picture shows Eunan Mac Cuinneagáin (centre) director of WestBic who are co-ordinating the Fiontraithe le Gaeilge program, with Minister Eamón Ó Cuív and Anne O’Connell, Price Waterhouse Coopers, sponsors of the Barr 50 awards.