Six years into a deep recession, and across Ireland - towns and communities are struggling and unemployment remains stubbornly high. While it seems that much of our economic situation is beyond our control, every individual, business and community in Ireland has the power to make a difference to the wider economy. In December 2012, RTÉ Local Heroes, in association with MACE, invited applications from individuals or groups around the country who were doing something visionary to create jobs in their local communities.

Last year the town of Drogheda was transformed with the support and entrepreneurial spirit of the local community which saw hundreds of jobs created. This year Local Heroes will feature the stories of six inspirational Irish towns who are fighting back against the recession. For the last five months, presenter Joe Duffy has followed the progress of six of those projects. Travelling the length and breadth of the country Joe visits the towns of Wexford, Killaloe/Ballina, Boyle, Ballyshannon, Carrick-On-Suir and an initiative in the heart of Dublin City as groups and individuals come together, under the local heroes banner, to do their bit to boost their local economy and keep their town on the map.

In each town, the local heroes come up with a unique idea and set themselves a strict deadline to launch their initiative. Any success could help to sustain, or even in time create, jobs in each of these communities. The series follows these six projects over a three month period, to see if they really can make a difference.

Alex Banahan, Sales Director for MACE Ireland said: "As a local retailer operating in towns and communities across Ireland, MACE is very proud to be supporting a cause close to our own heart – local enterprise and employment. Our retailers are independent operators and like the Local Heroes highlighted in this series, are working hard to create sustainable and thriving communities. We congratulate those individuals and groups who are passionate about making a positive contribution to the places they live and work," he said.