Three Cavan Enterprise Journeys: From Unemployment to Self-Employment
Starting a business can be a major step at any time. For someone moving from unemployment into self-employment, having the right guidance and support can make that step more achievable.
A 2026 Cavan County Local Development case study explores the experiences of three people who made the transition from unemployment to self-employment through the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme.
Although they established three very different businesses, their stories share an important theme: each person had an opportunity to pursue their ambitions and develop their own enterprise.
Supporting the Journey into Enterprise
The case study gave each participant an opportunity to talk about their experience of the process, providing a valuable insight into the realities of moving from unemployment towards running a business.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) played an important role in supporting their journeys.
For these entrepreneurs, that support helped create a pathway through which their business ambitions could be explored and developed. The programme also provided a platform for accessing other potential sources of funding, helping participants identify additional opportunities to support their enterprises.
Three Businesses, One Shared Ambition
The three businesses featured in the case study are very different, reflecting the variety of ideas and ambitions that can lead people towards self-employment.
What connects their stories is the decision to take an idea and work towards creating their own employment.
Their experiences also highlight the value of programmes that provide people with support when taking that important step.
For Cavan County Local Development, these stories demonstrate the human impact of social inclusion and enterprise supports: helping people explore opportunities, build confidence in their ideas and work towards greater economic independence.
The case study is ultimately about possibility. With appropriate support and access to opportunities, an ambition can become the starting point for a new business and a new direction.
“The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, and the European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021 -2027.”
“Tá an Clár um Chuimsiú Sóisialta agus Gníomhachtú Pobail (SICAP) cómhaoinithe ag Rialtas na hÉireann, tríd an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, agus Ciste Sóisialta na hEorpa Plus faoin gClár Fostaíochta, Cuimsiú, Scileanna agus Oiliúna (EIST) 2021 -2027."