Facebook launches €4.7million SME Grant Programme
22nd September 2020
Today, Facebook announces it will provide €4.7 million to over 1,000 small businesses in Dublin, Cork and Meath, where Facebook has offices and its Clonee data centre. The grant is a combination of cash and ad credits to help small businesses as they reset, rebuild and recover operations during this challenging year.
Applications open today and eligible businesses can apply at the Facebook small business grant webpage (facebook.com/grantsforbusiness).
A recent survey, conducted by OECD, the World Bank, and Facebook revealed that cashflow is a concern for the majority of SMEs. Over half (54%) of operational SMEs on Facebook in Ireland said they expected cash flow to be a challenge in the coming months. Facebook’s SME grant programme aims to help businesses by providing cash for essential bills such as keeping the lights on and helping to pay employees and providing ad credits to help SMEs generate revenue through online marketing and sales.
As part of its support for small businesses in Ireland, Facebook is also working with local industry partners around the country to continue its virtual ‘Boost with Facebook’ training programme. During the period of March to June, over 10,000 people in Ireland viewed the company’s virtual training sessions. The webinar series which featured experts from Facebook and leading creative, sales and marketing organisations including Core Media, Shopify and VidMob is available to view at Boost With Facebook. The hub for SMEs also has details of future online training events, virtual networking and resources covering a range of topics from how to take a business online, build resilience, stay connected with customers and adapt in real time.
Ciaran Quilty, VP of Global Business Group for EMEA said, “The COVID-19 crisis is more than just a public health crisis, it’s an economic crisis. Small businesses in particular have been most affected and are facing the challenge of a lifetime. We recognise that SMEs need cash, training, digitalisation assistance and improved social connection infrastructure as consumer behaviour shifts online. We also know that a little financial support goes a long way and we hope the grants and online training programme will help SMEs survive and recover through this crisis.”
