The search is on for budding visionaries from Louth

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland this week launched its annual 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.

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 Louth based Camilla Marks, founder of Toddler-Talk, and Austin Campbell, founder of My Streets Ireland 

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 from Tuesday February 13 until Tuesday March 12 2024, and registration is now open for people to attend an online information event featuring contributions from programme graduates on Tuesday February 20 – full information at www.socialentrepreneurs.ie/theideasacademy

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.  

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 said: “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.” 

Donal Murphy, Chief Executive of DCC plc, the international sales, marketing and support services group, which is supporting Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s national call for applications to its Ideas Academy and Impact Programme, adds: “Investing in solutions that the world needs to grow and progress are fundamental to DCC plc.

"Society needs people with entrepreneurial vision, game-changing ideas and a hunger for lasting change. This is why we have been supporting Social Entrepreneurs Ireland for over a decade through direct investment and employee involvement.  Social entrepreneurs are architects of positive transformation.

"They play a vital role in solving societal problems, demonstrating that innovation with a purpose can create lasting and meaningful change. That is what the National Call for Applications for the Ideas Academy and the Impact Programme is all about and why we are so proud to lend our support.” 

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.

They will also receive invaluable bespoke supports including one-to-one coaching, consultancy and mentorship from the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland team, experienced social entrepreneurs and leading business experts alongside training, workshops and group discussions in key areas such as leadership, team growth, strategic planning, fundraising, impactful storytelling and governance.

Applications will open on Tuesday March 12 2024, and close on Wednesday April 24 2024 – for more information, visit www.socialentrepreneurs.ie/impactprogramme. They also invite people to attend their Impact Programme Application Webinar on Tuesday 27th February 1pm to learn more about what they are looking for in the applications.   

Follow Social Entrepreneurs Ireland on social media @SEIreland or search for #ApplyToSEI