Caipiteal Phobail
How we fit the system

The aim is not to destroy the current business system which generated huge positive change in the last few centuries.

We aim to enhance the current system by injecting funds, ownership and belief back into our communities which in turn may breathe the Irish spirit back into our businesses and education systems.

Step 1

Raising Funds

Before we can build, we must make this venture legal. We are raising funds to register our CLG, secure a virtual office, and set up a fair, transparent membership system. We need to get the word out and gather support. Setting up the CLG is a legal challenge as we must fit the system. Donations taking are a way to support our cause to help us start, donations are not a form of membership. I may be naive but I believe that there is enough people out there who will be willing to support our vision, that can give us the boost we need to get off the ground.

Step 2

Getting Members

With our CLG registered, we will invite people to join us as members. Every member fee goes toward the investment fund for our daughter companies. We need you to get involved whatever your skills or background. We need creatives, we need dreamers, we need builders and we need doers. Don't like the business ideas the other members have? Then come up with your own and get the support of the community. No idea dies but all can be nurtured or shaped into something great. If one person has an interest in something then there is generally a market for it.

Step 3

Daughter Companies

With the people united and ownership secured, we will launch businesses in food, trades, culture, and technology — all rooted locally. Caipiteal Phobail will own 51% of each daughter company. The remaining 49% will be owned by the workers or a trust controlled by the workers. This as with Step 1 is a challenge as we must fit the system. We need to use existing rules which might lead to a lot of legal fees and pushback. But once we have a structure that works we can replicate it across the country. This is how we rebuild prosperity, not by waiting for permission, but by making it ourselves. Did you have a dream of a business that you wanted to start? I bet we can find people to help and share the load.

Step 4

Strategy

Linking daughter companies together is vital, we will create a network of community-owned enterprises. This will allow us to share resources, knowledge, and profits, ensuring that every member benefits. Reducing wastes between companies, lease sharing and pooling resources will help us grow sustainably. Locations should be chosen based on the member numbers of a given community and the skills of the members. We must not be jealous or greedy, the best and most efficient models should be chosen as our first ventures. Ventures should be first set in key sectors like food, trades, and culture. We must not look 1, 2 or 3 years ahead but 10, 20, and 50 years ahead. We will have limited financial resources but maximum human resources.

Step 5

Staying Connected

I have managed a few communities of up to 1,000 active members and been part of communities of 10,000+. These communities have been built on the Discord App available in all app stores. If you are not familiar with Discord, don't worry, we will help you get set up. We must run a strict code of conduct to ensure that our community is a safe and welcoming space for all. The advantages of using Discord are that it is free, secure, and easy to use. Equipped with channels to chat, post images and share ideas. Along with roles to keep everything organised, Discord app can easily set up votes and polls so it's perfect for a small community but is easy to scale up as we grow.