Make our country a better place
Callout for Tipperary’s visionaries
Graduates of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s (SEI) Ideas Academy went back to school to launch this year’s call for people with an idea to solve a social or environmental problem, and the passion to make it happen, to apply for a place among Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s Ideas Academy Class of 2024.
Against a backdrop of creativity and imagination in the inspiring surroundings of Dublin’s Merrion Square, Ideas Academy graduates, Susan Adams, founder of Education for Sustainability (climate literacy programme for school-children), Damien Quinn, founder of An Spéire Nua (rehabilitation programme for ex-offenders), and Eilis Davenport (provides cooking and nutritional education to children in schools) got back behind their desks to spread the word that enrolment for this year’s Ideas Academy is now open! The scholars were put to the test by two entrepreneurial bright sparks, little Joshua Balfe and Daisy Balfe children of Susan Adams.
The national call to create Ireland’s next generation of social entrepreneurs comes as Social Entrepreneurs Ireland this year celebrates its 20th anniversary dedicated to harnessing the cumulative power of people to enable lasting social change on the island of Ireland. Since its foundation in 2004, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has supported more than 600 social entrepreneurs across Ireland in areas such as mental health, homelessness, the environment, education, and unemployment, providing over 14 million in funding and pro-bono supports during that time. Previous alumni of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland include Tipperary based Tadhg O’Donovan, founder of Sustainable Schools Ireland, and Lynda Kelleher, founder of Fire Service.
The Ideas Academy’s three-month programme is open to anyone wanting to make a real difference in our communities and create positive change for our nation and is part of a €500,000 investment by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland in early-stage social entrepreneurship this year. Applications are open until Tuesday, March 12.
The 30 successful applicants will receive training and support to further scope out the social or environmental problem that they are trying to solve, to fine-tune their solution, and to set out an action plan to make their vision a reality. More than that, they will receive a €500 bursary and an opportunity to apply for a share of a €25,000 seed fund to pilot their idea once they graduate.
VISIONARIES WANTED!
Now in its eighth year, the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Ideas Academy has supported hundreds of budding innovators who have developed solutions to social problems impacting millions of people. One graduate of the 2020 Ideas Academy class is Susan Adams, mum of four and founder of Education for Sustainability, a social enterprise dedicated to increasing climate literacy and fostering behaviour change among young people. Susan has since gone on to complete Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s Action Lab programme and is a current Impact Programme awardee. Susan says: “With the natural world declining in front of our very eyes, I wanted to ensure that young people today are educated about the climate crisis and that they have the knowledge, skills and tools to take action. Having worked in Dublin Zoo and studied animal management and conservation, my knowledge covered elephants, rather than economics. So, when it came to the idea of setting up a social enterprise, the support of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland was crucial.
“Thanks to the financial support, mentorship and training programmes offered, Education for Sustainability is now leading the way for every child in Ireland to be climate-literate by 2030. Right now, we are delivering teacher training and climate literacy courses from Sixth Class right up to Transition Year, covering everything from fast fashion to plastic action. I would encourage any budding social entrepreneur who wants to turn their dream into a reality to sign up for the Ideas Academy. I’m proof-positive that dreams do come true!”
Tim Griffiths, CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, is looking for people who are ambitious, entrepreneurial and laser-focused on social change: “Ireland is a great country in which to live, but we also have our share of social and environmental problems that continue to go unchecked. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland continues to work towards making this country a better place. We are now looking for visionaries in communities nationwide to apply to our Ideas Academy 2024 programme. Perhaps you have realised your skills can be used for positive change, from creating accessible education, to slowing the effects of climate change. You may long to leave a brighter, more optimistic, future for your fellow citizens and the planet. If so, tell us why you are the best person to fix a particular problem and how your solution has the potential to do this.
“Successful applicants will not only be offered and skills training in key areas, but they will also have access to peer support to help them network, learn and grow in confidence. This is the perfect opportunity to kick-start an idea that has been yearning to see the light of day, and to move from idea to action.”
APPLICATIONS OPEN
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland will soon be seeking applications for its 2024 Impact Programme, for social entrepreneurs who are further along in their journey. This is a nine-month programme in which five successful entrepreneurs will receive a share of €100,000 in direct funding to scale up their already established social enterprise that has had proven impact and are ready to take their organisation to the next level. Applications will open on Tuesday March 12 and close on Wednesday April 24 – for more information, visit www.socialentrepreneurs.ie/impactprogramme.