SEI Makes up to €150k Available to Social Entrepreneurs
24th March 2021
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) is making €50,000 seed funding available through its Ideas Academy to individuals who have an early-stage innovative idea to solve a particular social problem. A further €100,000 will be awarded to high potential social entrepreneurs through its Impact Programme. The funding is part of a suite of supports on offer through these SEI programmes, both of which are currently accepting applications. DCC plc, the international sales, marketing and support services group, is the flagship supporter of SEI’s national call for applications.
Participants on the Ideas Academy will have the opportunity to pitch for a portion of the €50,000 seed fund to pilot their idea. Awardees on the Impact Programme will receive €20,000 in direct funding each to grow their impact in addition to bespoke non-financial support. Applications close at midnight on 7th April.
Up to 60 places are available on SEI’s Ideas Academy. The three-month programme will provide budding social entrepreneurs with the support and direction they need as they take the first steps from idea to action. In addition to having the opportunity to pitch for seed funding at the end of the programme, participants on the Ideas Academy will be supported to clearly articulate, refine and progress their solution, to build skills and accelerate learning in core areas of importance to social entrepreneurs, and to move from idea to action. In response to current public health restrictions, the 2021 programme will be delivered online. Alumni of the programme include Evocco, Dignity Partnership and Kinship Care Ireland.
Up to five places are available on SEI’s prestigious Impact Programme, aimed at high-potential social entrepreneurs. In addition to €20,000 in unrestricted funding to grow their impact, Awardees will receive mentorship, training, and consultancy in areas such as leadership development, fundraising, governance, strategic planning, and communications. They will also have access to pro-bono support from partner organisations throughout the nine-month programme. The Impact Programme will be delivered primarily online in 2021-22, with in-person elements included when, and if, it is safe to do so. Alumni of the programme include AsIAm, jumpAgrade, AgriKids and DabbledooMusic.
Commenting, SEI Interim Director of Impact, Siobhán O’Keeffe said: “All across Ireland there are people with ideas to solve social problems – in some cases, these are people who have direct experience of a problem – and the courage and insight to put forward a solution, and act on it.
Often it is through real challenge that innovation is inspired,
and we are anticipating seeing that in this year’s applications in response to the global pandemic.”
Applications for the Ideas Academy and Impact Programme are open until midnight on Wednesday, 7th April. Interested candidates can apply or find out more at www.socialentrepreneurs.ie.
