AssistanceFIRST STEPJefferson House, Eglinton Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
T: (01) 260 0988
First Step provides seed funding for projects or people with no security. It can fund up to 50% of a project’s start-up costs by way of loans, though matching funds may be required. Bank of Ireland will match approved First Step projects with loans of up to €25,000 for a maximum of three years.
First Step’s Back to Work Fund, in co-operation with the Department of Social and Family Affairs, provides small-scale seed capital for the long-term unemployed who find it difficult to raise capital.
First Step also supports projects where the promoters come from socioeconomic disadvantaged backgrounds. Project promoters must demonstrate that they have been unsuccessful in raising the necessary finance from commercial sources. First Step is not an alternative to commercial bank finance, but rather a lender to those who cannot access finance through the normal channels.
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