A social entrepreneur is an individual who identifies significant social, environmental, or community problems and applies entrepreneurial principles to develop, fund, and implement innovative solutions. Unlike traditional entrepreneurs, their primary goal is creating positive social impact and sustainable change, rather than maximising profit for shareholders.
Since 2004, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has supported more than 660 social entrepreneurs across the country who are championing and driving solutions in areas such as mental health, housing, the environment and education. Alumni who have gone through the programme have created 463 jobs and generated €39.8m in income.
The not-for-profit organisation has opened its Ideas Academy and Impact Programme to 2026 applicants.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s programme, director of development at Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, Michelle Noone, acknowledged the impact their programmes have on people and communities across the country.
“An independently verified report demonstrated how Social Entrepreneurs Ireland contributes to the success and growth of social enterprises across Ireland, with employment, sales, and future funding increased by up to 50% and innovation boosted by up to 80%.
“There is a wealth of incredible ideas out there, and we encourage budding social entrepreneurs and those with more established solutions to social issues to apply for our Ideas Academy and Social Impact programmes, to bring their concepts to the next level,” says Michelle.
About the supports
The Ideas Academy is a three-month programme designed to provide budding social entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to move from a concept to a tangible pilot. Participants are supported to clearly articulate, refine and progress their solutions, while building skills and accelerating learning in the core capabilities required to develop and test a social enterprise. By the end of the programme, ideas are ready to move confidently from concept into piloting.
The Impact Programme is a nine-month journey that supports experienced social entrepreneurs to scale up tried-and-tested solutions to tackle Ireland’s biggest social challenges. Through tailored mentoring, expert training, unrestricted funding and a vibrant peer community, they support leaders to make confident, strategic decisions, strengthen their organisational capacity, and grow solutions that create lasting social change.
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has partnered with energy company DCC plc since 2011. Since the partnership began, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has received over 3,500 applications from all across Ireland.
Tammy Darcy, founder of The Shona Project.
The Shona Project
What began as a response to the pressures teenage girls face became a national movement. Founded by Tammy Darcy, The Shona Project creates safe, supportive spaces online, in schools and at events so girls can speak openly, build resilience and see themselves as leaders.
“I applied for the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland impact programme in 2017. At the time, the structure was different, and I was lucky enough to be one of seven picked that year. I have been part of the community ever since, as the support from the other social entrepreneurs and the team is a huge part of why so many of us go on to be successful and thrive,” says Tammy.
“There is very much a culture of paying it forward, and now I make sure to always be supportive of other social entrepreneurs that come in.”
At the time of the Social Entrepreneurs programme, Tammy was only six months into The Shona Project and trying to manage it while working full-time.
“It gave me a platform; they showcased us nationally, which really set us up for success. We didn’t even have a website; we got funding, which helped set that up, and soon after that, I was able to leave my full-time job and focus on what I am doing with The Shona Project, so it was really transformative.”
The project was really focused on providing school workshops for girls with a focus on bullying. Now, they support 100,000 girls a year through all their programmes, including the SHINE Festival, a mentorship programme, materials and an online community.
“We aim to educate, empower and inspire today’s girls in Ireland to become tomorrow’s strong, confident and curious young women. Our vision is for a future where women are happy, fulfilled, and playing an active and equal role across our society,” says Tammy.
“As a social entrepreneur, having a community of other people around me is so important. None of us is ever in our comfort zones; there are easier ways to make a living. We need each other and to lean on each other a huge amount,” she concludes.
See socialentrepreneurs.ie
A social entrepreneur is an individual who identifies significant social, environmental, or community problems and applies entrepreneurial principles to develop, fund, and implement innovative solutions. Unlike traditional entrepreneurs, their primary goal is creating positive social impact and sustainable change, rather than maximising profit for shareholders.
Since 2004, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has supported more than 660 social entrepreneurs across the country who are championing and driving solutions in areas such as mental health, housing, the environment and education. Alumni who have gone through the programme have created 463 jobs and generated €39.8m in income.
The not-for-profit organisation has opened its Ideas Academy and Impact Programme to 2026 applicants.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s programme, director of development at Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, Michelle Noone, acknowledged the impact their programmes have on people and communities across the country.
“An independently verified report demonstrated how Social Entrepreneurs Ireland contributes to the success and growth of social enterprises across Ireland, with employment, sales, and future funding increased by up to 50% and innovation boosted by up to 80%.
“There is a wealth of incredible ideas out there, and we encourage budding social entrepreneurs and those with more established solutions to social issues to apply for our Ideas Academy and Social Impact programmes, to bring their concepts to the next level,” says Michelle.
About the supports
The Ideas Academy is a three-month programme designed to provide budding social entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to move from a concept to a tangible pilot. Participants are supported to clearly articulate, refine and progress their solutions, while building skills and accelerating learning in the core capabilities required to develop and test a social enterprise. By the end of the programme, ideas are ready to move confidently from concept into piloting.
The Impact Programme is a nine-month journey that supports experienced social entrepreneurs to scale up tried-and-tested solutions to tackle Ireland’s biggest social challenges. Through tailored mentoring, expert training, unrestricted funding and a vibrant peer community, they support leaders to make confident, strategic decisions, strengthen their organisational capacity, and grow solutions that create lasting social change.
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has partnered with energy company DCC plc since 2011. Since the partnership began, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has received over 3,500 applications from all across Ireland.
Tammy Darcy, founder of The Shona Project.
The Shona Project
What began as a response to the pressures teenage girls face became a national movement. Founded by Tammy Darcy, The Shona Project creates safe, supportive spaces online, in schools and at events so girls can speak openly, build resilience and see themselves as leaders.
“I applied for the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland impact programme in 2017. At the time, the structure was different, and I was lucky enough to be one of seven picked that year. I have been part of the community ever since, as the support from the other social entrepreneurs and the team is a huge part of why so many of us go on to be successful and thrive,” says Tammy.
“There is very much a culture of paying it forward, and now I make sure to always be supportive of other social entrepreneurs that come in.”
At the time of the Social Entrepreneurs programme, Tammy was only six months into The Shona Project and trying to manage it while working full-time.
“It gave me a platform; they showcased us nationally, which really set us up for success. We didn’t even have a website; we got funding, which helped set that up, and soon after that, I was able to leave my full-time job and focus on what I am doing with The Shona Project, so it was really transformative.”
The project was really focused on providing school workshops for girls with a focus on bullying. Now, they support 100,000 girls a year through all their programmes, including the SHINE Festival, a mentorship programme, materials and an online community.
“We aim to educate, empower and inspire today’s girls in Ireland to become tomorrow’s strong, confident and curious young women. Our vision is for a future where women are happy, fulfilled, and playing an active and equal role across our society,” says Tammy.
“As a social entrepreneur, having a community of other people around me is so important. None of us is ever in our comfort zones; there are easier ways to make a living. We need each other and to lean on each other a huge amount,” she concludes.
See socialentrepreneurs.ie
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