The Big Idea wins Aviva Broker Community Fund’s Top Prize
7th February 2023

A game-changing creative thinking programme, which is teaching problem solving and critical thinking to teenagers across Ireland, has scooped a top prize of €20,000 at the Aviva Broker Community Fund Awards recently.
The Big Idea, now in its third year, was awarded the donation from Aviva under its Diversity and Inclusion category to support it in expanding its offering to some of the most disadvantaged students across Ireland. This include DEIS schools, as well as widening the programme’s impact targeting vulnerable young people from diverse backgrounds.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Aviva Broker Community Fund, which is now in its fifth year, provides a unique opportunity for financial advisers and brokers throughout the country to support their chosen local charities or community organisations by nominating them for an award. The awards are sponsored by Aviva Ireland who provide a total prize fund of €120,000 – with a top prize in each of the three main categories of €20,000. The three categories under which organisations entered their projects this year included Climate Action, Diversity and Inclusion and Stronger Communities.
Niamh Cooney, Head of Development and Sustainability at The Big Idea said the prize was a huge boost for the 2023 programme. “We are so grateful to receive this incredible donation from Aviva Ireland and we extend a massive thank you to the company and to Darragh Goggin for nominating us.
One big idea can change our world and our programme provides a platform for young people to voice their ideas, supporting them to make a real difference in their communities, as proactive citizens.
“Creative thinking is an in-demand skill, and we work with hundreds of industry mentors each year– from a diverse range of industry sectors – from graduates to CEOs, who give our students practical advice and guidance, helping showcase the importance of the skills they are learning. This year, thousands of Big Idea students are working on innovative solutions for their five chosen issues, all aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The issues that the students have highlighted for 2023 are displaced people, hidden poverty, climate change, diversity and inclusion and mental health,” said Niamh.
Positive Impact
Brian O’Neill, Head of Communications, Sustainability, Brand and Sponsorship at Aviva Ireland said: “We were deeply humbled to hear and see the amazing work that our winning charities and community organisations are involved in and the positive impacts that they have on peoples’ lives. This year we introduced three categories to the fund, that align to our own sustainability ambitions: Climate Action, Diversity and Inclusion and Stronger Communities; all with top prizes of €20,000 with three runners-up in each category each winning €5,000 on the day, as well as an additional €1,000 drawn from a list of other high scoring entries.’’
The Big Idea has already kicked off in schools but there is still time to sign up as a mentor and support students with online feedback. It just takes a couple of hours split across February, March and May. Check out thebigidea.ie.