Call for Applications to the Ideas Academy – Act Now!
5th March 2024
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is calling for visionaries with an idea to make our country a better place.
The organisation dedicated to accelerated social change, now celebrating its 20th year anniversary, is providing a three-month programme with 30 places for those with early-stage ideas to solve a social or environmental problem. The Ideas Academy is accepting applications until next week, March 12th.
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland will support successful applicants to further scope out the social or environmental problem that they are trying to solve. Bringing together Ireland’s top business leaders and subject matter experts, the Ideas Academy applicants will be able to fine-tune their solution and set out an action plan to pilot their project. More than that, they will receive a €500 bursary and an opportunity to pitch for a share of €25,000 in seed funding to pilot their idea at the end of the programme.
Commenting, CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, Tim Griffiths said: “We believe that social entrepreneurs are some of the most effective actors when it comes to accelerating social change in Ireland. If you have an innovative solution that helps us get closer to achieving Ireland’s Sustainable Developmental Goals, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is here to support you.
There is just one week left to apply to the Ideas Academy which is aimed at people with early-stage ideas to solve social problems.”
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, that positive dreams do come true!”
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.
Applications for the Ideas Academy are open until midnight on Tuesday, 12th March. Full details about the programme can be found here>>
DCC plc, the international sales, marketing and support services group is the supporter of this year’s National Call for Applications.
Pictured is Susan Adams, founder of Education for Sustainability with Junior social entrepreneurs (Susan’s children) – Joshua Balfe age 10 and Daisy Balfe age 13.
