Hi,
There was an article in this weeks sunday independent which mentioned social lending and directed attention to www.zopa.com . But when i checked out this site i found it wasn't open to irish residents. Are there any other companies like this that accept irish people. Thanks in advance.
Mike.
You could try Kiva (http://www.kiva.org/), it's social lending to individuals and entities in the developing world. The loans run 6-12 months and you get feedback on the project/goals etc. It works in partnership with NGOs and community/microfinance orgs on the ground and borrowers need to go through a screening process. I have no direct experience with them at all, but I have heard good things about the model.