Applications are being called from schools and youth organisations across Ireland for Young Social Innovator’s Social Innovators Action Programme 2013/14. The project-based programme, which is supported by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation, gives 15 to 18 year olds opprotunity to examine social problems in their communities and bring about the changes they wish to see. The closing date for entries is 30^th September 2013.

Over 5,500 young people participated in Young Social Innovators’ 2012/13 programme. Between them they undertook some 350 projects aimed at finding and implementing solutions to a range of social issues that included youth literacy, cyber bullying, youth facilities, farm safety and continuing education for teenage parents.  Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co Meath were named the Young Social Innovators of the Year 2013 at the Annual YSI Showcase and Awards last May for the creation of an organ donor education programme for teenagers.

Rachel Collier, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Young Social Innovators said “Young Social Innovators has given over 50,000 teenagers a chance to make a change to society. We have another 200,000 potential young social innovators aged from 15 to 18 in Ireland. To reach all young people, we are introducing a range of social innovation programmes for schools and youth organisations.”     She continued:  “Young people need to play a vital role in shaping the future of society. The ACTION programme engages them directly and deeply in issues that matter to them, giving them the opportunity, confidence and practical tools to make a real and lasting difference to their lives and those around them, providing a tangible way to build much needed social capital at national and local level”.

Natalie Hodgess, Vodafone Ireland Foundation, said “We are excited to support YSI’s vision to empower young people across Ireland to believe in social issues and to act on them. We believe every young person should have the opportunity to participate in this programme and have a joint goal with YSI to create an empowered network of 100,000 young social innovators by 2015. We look forward to seeing the results this will bring for the future of Ireland.”

The YSI Social Innovation Programme is currently open to 15 to 18 year olds in Ireland through schools and youth organisations. Working in teams of 5 – 25, the teenagers choose a social issue they care about and then work together to research the issue and come up with innovative ways to tackle it. 

All project teams involved in Young Social Innovators are invited to speak about their chosen issue at the regional “YSI Speak Outs” which take place in March. They are also invited to the Annual Showcase which takes place in May.  Full details can be found atwww.youngsocialinnovators.org