SEI launch €500,000 Changing Ireland Accelerator
21st February 2023
Today, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) launches the Changing Ireland Accelerator. This programme will select four leaders and changemakers who are scaling solutions to solve social problems across the island of Ireland, with a focus on supporting those from underrepresented and/or marginalised communities.
The Changing Ireland Accelerator, supported by Google.org, aims to deliver accelerated social change by supporting social entrepreneurs with a proven solution to a social problem. The programme runs for 12 months from June 2023. As part of the Changing Ireland Accelerator, subgrants of €60,000 will be delivered to each of the successful applicants. Programme partner INCO will distribute this funding. The programme includes tailored supports and consultancy from some of Ireland’s leading business minds, in addition to the direct funding.
Commenting on the start of the open call for applications to the Changing Ireland Accelerator, CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Tim Griffiths said “We are delighted with the support of Google.org and INCO to launch the Changing Ireland Accelerator. This programme will accelerate the social impact that is being delivered by social entrepreneurs across the island of Ireland, reaching some of our most underserved communities.”
Speaking about the Changing Ireland Accelerator, Rachael Bleakley, Program Manager, Google.org said “We are proud to support this programme with Social Entrepreneurs Ireland. Social enterprise is increasingly important in helping to solve some of society’s biggest challenges, that is why we are committed to supporting social entrepreneurs and are encouraging ambitious change-makers to apply to the Changing Ireland Accelerator programme.”
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is a not-for-profit organisation committed to the vision of accelerated social change through the power of people. Since its foundation in 2004, SEI has supported more than 550 social entrepreneurs across the island of Ireland. This support takes the form of direct funding, bespoke consultancy and additional non-financial supports. Alumni of SEI programmes include AsIAm, CyberSafeKids, Mobility Mojo, Pieta House, the Together Academy and Traveller Counselling Service.
INCO is a global non-profit on a mission to create a more socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable economy. Across 40+ countries around the world, INCO accelerates the growth of impact-driven businesses, and offers free education programs to the workforce of tomorrow. Since 2021, INCO has been leading StartSocial, an initiative supported by Google.org, to provide funding and capacity-building to over 400 social enterprises across Europe.
The €500,000 funding from Google.org is part of its European-wide commitment to supporting Social Entrepreneurs building on a commitment of €20 million Social Innovation Fund towards supporting underserved social innovators across Europe.
The full application guide and more details on how to apply are available on the SEI website. Applications are open from today,21st February to 14th March. A free information session regarding the programme and the application process will take place online on Thurs, 2nd March, and can be accessed via the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland website. Google.org are fully funding the costs of this programme in 2023 with a grant of €500,000.
Pictured (l-r): Mathieu Planchard, Global Head of Development at INCO; Adaire Fox-Martin, President of Google Cloud International and Head of Google Ireland; and Tim Griffiths, CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland.
