Keating encourages people of Dublin Mid West to apply for Social Entrepeneurs Ireland Awards

Fine Gael Dublin Mid West Deputy, Derek Keating, has called on those with an interest in solving Ireland’s social and environmental problems to apply for Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s Awards Programme, for which €500,000 is being made available.

“Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has invested almost €5 million since 2004 in assisting social entrepreneurs to make their good ideas become a reality. This year a total cash fund of €500,000 is being made available to support eight social entrepreneurs to partake in one of two programmes; the Impact Programme and the Elevator Programme.

“These programmes provide direct funding to help successful applicants to meet their full potential while also making training, mentoring and support available to help them on their journey.

“Ensuring that our social entrepreneurs are given the freedom to develop their ideas and to contribute to solving Ireland’s social or environment problems, or to create awareness of the issues that need attention, is key to ensuring our continued development.

“These awards assist social entrepreneurs in doing just that, helping them to develop their projects so that they have the biggest impact and reach the most people possible. It is estimated that these projects, over the last seven years, have impacted over 200,000 people across Ireland and created over 800 employment opportunities.

“I would encourage everyone in Dublin Mid West who has an interest in social entrepreneurship to apply for Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s Awards Programme, the details of which can be found at www.socialentrepreneurs.ie. The closing date for applications is Monday, 18th February with an information evening being held on Tuesday, 29th January at 6.30 pm in
the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2.”