Do you have an idea that could help your community or a community across Limerick to tackle important social issues? Then the Social Innovation Fund Ireland could have some financial grants for you!
The Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) has a number of open calls out for projects at present.
SIFI was set up by the government to find and back innovative solutions to critical social issues around the country. SIFI was established to fill the gap on funding innovation in the non-profit sector. Just as innovation is important to economic growth, we believe that innovation is crucial to solving Ireland’s social problems.
SIFI’s purpose is to support the best non-profits, charities and social enterprises in Ireland so that they can grow and reach more people who will benefit from their crucial work.
So far these funds have collectively provided grants and business supports to 31 social innovations in Ireland.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr James Collins said: “Social innovation plays a very important role in our society. It has a very special function with its focus completely on social outcomes rather than financial ones. These four funding streams can provide critical funding for projects in Limerick and I would encourage all those eligible to apply for funding. Innovation is key to providing services so if you have a unique or unusual idea why not see if it can be developed for the good of all.”
Applications are now being accepted through a number of different funding streams.
They are:
- Ignite Fund (closing date 09 May 2019)
- Mná na hÉireann, Women of Ireland Fund (closing date 18 April 2019)
- Children and Youth Education Fund (closing date 17 May 2019)
- Children and Youth Mental Health Fund (closing date 17 May 2019)
The Ignite Fund is a €550,000 fund created by Social Innovation Fund Ireland in partnership with several private philanthropists and the Department of Rural and Community Development from the Dormant Accounts Fund.
The objective of the Ignite Fund is to spark meaningful social impact in communities across Ireland by providing support to some of the most innovative charities and social enterprises, who are ‘igniting’ impact across the following four categories:
- Empowering Families
- Music to Impact
- Harnessing Ability
- Youth Resilience
Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI), in partnership with Bank of America and the Department of Rural and Community Development, have announced the Mná na hÉireann, Women of Ireland Fund.
The Mná na hÉireann Fund, Women of Ireland is a €1.8million fund and is the first fund in Ireland to support charities and social enterprises that seek to enhance the economic mobility of women. It is designed specifically to equip these organisations to expand their business acumen, drive growth and deepen their impact across Ireland.
Social Innovation Fund Ireland is calling for applications from organisations that support and empower women to progress their education or progress into new or more sustainable employment.
The Children and Youth Education Fund aims to improve access to higher and further education for students (including the full primary school cycle and up to the age of 25) who are affected by disability or disadvantage.
The Children and Youth Mental Health Fund has been created in partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Department of Rural and Community Development provides match funding for all philanthropic funds raised by Social Innovation Fund Ireland, via the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Through the Children and Youth Mental Health Fund, the aim is to provide meaningful, lasting support to innovative mental health programmes and initiatives that reach out to children and young people before and during the societal, academic, physical, and emotional pressures of early adolescence and early adulthood.
For more information about the Social Innovation Fund Ireland in general and the specific funds that are currently accepting applications, visit socialinnovation.ie.