On Tuesday 3rd June, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting Female Focus: Powering the Future of Our VCSEs, a breakfast event that brought together dynamic and influential women leaders from across the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector to celebrate and explore the crucial role of women in economic development and the advancement of the social economy in Northern Ireland.
Set in the beautiful Banquet Hall of Belfast City Hall, the event was masterfully MC’d by the warm and engaging Lynette Fay, who introduced the objectives and tone of the morning:
- To celebrate women leading community-based economic transformation
- To highlight the role of Community Wealth Building in strengthening our local economy
- To shine a light on intergenerational mentorship and leadership
- To support efforts to close the leadership gap for young people in the sector
We were especially honoured to welcome Belfast’s new Lord Mayor, Tracy Kelly, for whom this was her first public engagement in office. A proud and powerful way to begin her term!
The Minister’s Vision
We then heard from Minister for the Economy, Caoimhe Archibald, who outlined how the Department for the Economy’s Economic Vision closely aligns with the principles of Community Wealth Building — from inclusive growth and local investment, to reforming public procurement and championing fair employment.
The message was clear: the VCSE sector is a vital engine for equity, inclusion, and local empowerment — particularly in reaching marginalised and rural communities.
The Minister said:
“In the social enterprise sector, 43% of businesses are female-led. Their leadership and commitment are vital to the success of the sector, which plays a central role in delivering my economic vision. Through Community Wealth Building, and with the help of Development Trusts NI, we are creating good jobs and driving regional balance – ensuring that economic prosperity is shared fairly and rooted in local communities.
“I look forward to further engagement with the sector as we work together to build a stronger, more inclusive economy for all.”
Her key points included:
- Inclusive growth and redistribution of wealth.
- Support for reforming public procurement to bolster local business ecosystems.
- Investment in upskilling, employability, and promoting fair work.
- Recognition of the VCSE sector’s role in engaging marginalised communities.
- Encouragement of local finance models for community benefit.
Leadership in Action: Eileen Murphy
One of the standout moments came from Eileen Murphy, CEO of Women’s Aid Armagh Down, who shared a personal account of her career. Eileen reflected on choosing her path simply “because the work needed to be done” — and reminded us that passion and necessity often go hand-in-hand in this sector. Eileen discussed the upcoming ELEOS Centre (partially funded through the Community Ownership Fund, supported by DTNI), which will create jobs and offer vital services, especially for young people. She stressed the importance of making the third sector more attractive to young women through competitive salaries and professional development opportunities.
How are we supporting young women to build a lasting legacy of leadership? The Fireside Chat panel
Next, we shifted into a thought provoking and insightful fireside conversation featuring seasoned leaders and the young women they work alongside and have supported.
Panellists:
- Jayne Taggart – CEO, Enterprise Causeway
- Cathy McGarry – Comms & Events Officer, Enterprise Causeway
- Katie Matthews Furphy – Entrepreneur, Business owner -The Mind Tribe UK
- Sinéad McCartney – Wellbeing business owner mentored by Katie Matthews Furphy
- Margaret Craig – Senior Programme Coordinator, DTNI
- Jane Kyle – Digital Innovation Officer, DTNI
Moderated by Lynette Fay, the panel delved into:
- Their personal experiences, career paths within the VCSE, and the women who shaped their own journeys.
- The real-life impact of their work on their beneficiaries
- The value of mentorship and intergenerational collaboration
- Retention challenges for young women in the sector
- Short funding cycles and job security concerns
- The need for the VCSE’s to learn from the private sector – particularly in diversifying income streams and investing in leadership pathways for young women
Closing Words
To wrap up the morning, Mairead McCormack, Chief Executive of Glenshane Community Development, served as our keynote listener. Her reflections perfectly captured the morning’s themes of empowerment as a journey, creating holistic support models that encourage growth, and that in our sector, striving for better must go beyond policy—it needs to be a mandate. She ended with a compelling call to action, concluding with the resonant message: “We rise by lifting others.”
Before we wrapped, attendees enjoyed a prize raffle featuring gorgeous products from Storybox NI — a female-led local social enterprise. A perfect end to a morning filled with connection, purpose, and community spirit.
Final Thoughts
We hope Female Focus served as both a celebration and a powerful reminder of the broader impact of women’s work of the VCSE sector. It reinforced the importance of investing in women—across generations—to build a more equitable and sustainable future for Northern Ireland.