Around €600,000 worth of support available to make Ireland a better place.” That was the tagline on this story when it arrived into Country Living and while it may sound cheesy, it’s true. This Irish non-profit organisation believes that the solutions to societal problems in Ireland will be driven by passionate individuals who adopt an entrepreneurial approach to bringing about change.

Supporting entrepreneurs who come up with great solutions to social problems is what Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is all about.

This is why the organisation has launched it’s 10th annual competition, which takes the form of a nationwide search for people with new solutions.

SEI is providing €420,000 in funding this year to nine social entrepreneurs and a further €180,000 worth of support will also be made available to successful applicants, ensuring that they are equipped to scale and grow their organisations.

The search for applicants takes the form of a roadshow which will visit Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Longford and Belfast.

One project that has benefited from the support of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA), which was set up by John Evoy in 2011.

Men’s Sheds was launched to overcome the challenge that Irish men are often reluctant to reach out for help. It operates on the philosophy that men don’t talk face to face, but shoulder to shoulder.

The Sheds are a place for men to socialise and interact with each other. The IMSA currently supports over 6,000 men through the provision of a safe, friendly and inclusive environment, where they work together on meaningful community projects.

If you think you’ve an idea that could be the next Men’s Sheds, get your application to the 2014 competition before 5pm on Monday 28 April.

Following a multi-stage review process, the winners will be announced at a ceremony in November 2014.

In the past 10 years, this competition has backed 169 social entrepreneurs and invested €5.4m in direct funding for projects in areas ranging from community and active citizenship, education and learning, environment and sustainability and mental and physical health.

For an application form and more information visit www.socialentrepreneurs.ie