Facebook is calling on businesses in Laois to apply for its small business grant, a €4.7 million fund to help over 1,000 businesses across Ireland.
The grant is a combination of cash (€2,254) and ad credits (€1,353) to help businesses reset, rebuild and recover operations following this challenging Covid-19-hit year.
The closing date for applications is 5pm Thursday, October 15, and eligible businesses in Laois can apply at the Facebook small business grant web page.
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 small business grant aims to help businesses in Laois by providing cash for essential bills such as keeping the lights on and helping to pay employees and providing ad credits to help small businesses 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.
This hub for small businesses 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 businesses 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 small businesses in Laois survive and recover through this crisis.”
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