Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is now open for applications for €500,000 awards programme.

Wednesday 23rd January 2013

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, is encouraging all social entrepreneurs with new solutions for social challenges in Ireland, to apply for the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards Programme with a total cash fund of €500,000. This will provide Social Entrepreneurs with the funding and support that they need to scale and grow.

Over the last 7 years Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has supported 161 social entrepreneurs, investing €4.9 million in their projects. These in turn have directly impacted over 200,000 people across Ireland and created over 800 employment opportunities in the process.

The Awards Programme will see eight social entrepreneurs selected to partake in one of our two support Programmes: the Impact Programme and the Elevator Programme. Three social entrepreneurs will be selected for the Impact Programme and will each receive direct funding of €130,000 over two years, as well as over €70,000 worth of training, mentoring and support. Five social entrepreneurs will be selected for the Elevator Programme and will each receive direct funding of €22,000 over one year, as well as over €10,000 worth of training.

An Information Evening will be held on the 29th January at 6.30 pm in the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2. Social Entrepreneurs Ireland team will be available to answer any questions you may have about the application process. Please register your interest in attending at  http://seiawards2013infoevening.eventbrite.ie.

The deadline for applications is Monday 18th February. Full details of the application process, eligibility criteria and an overview of the Awards Programme can be found online at  www.socialentrepreneurs.ie.

ENDS