We are delighted to introduce you to our 2021/2022 Action Lab participants! This programme is for social entrepreneurs who have been on the Ideas Academy, and are looking to either pilot their solution, or to build stronger foundations for their organizations. Some the areas the Action lab participants are working in include education, mental health and the environment.
Over the course of five months (December 2021 – April 2022), these social entrepreneurs will receive training and support in key areas such as solution design, fundraising, governance, and communications. The ten social entrepreneur-led projects will also be receiving direct SEI mentorship, peer support, as well as a €3,000 bursary to facilitate involvement. They will also have an opportunity to apply for seed funding at the end of the programme. The Action Lab had an online launch call in December 2021 to get together as a group, and the first workshop will be on piloting and solution design in early Q1, with other sessions planned for the coming months.
You can read a brief bios of each of the projects below. The Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Action Lab is kindly supported by the Lifes2good Foundation.
Lib Multicultural Counselling – Toufik Messabih
Offering free, culturally sensitive, counselling and support programmes to asylum seekers and refugees. Based in Cork, this organization has plans to expand supports in fifteen languages to the wider Munster area. Founder Toufik Messabih is a psychotherapist based in Carrigaline.
Galway Online Community Radio (GOCOM) – Islammiyah Saudique
An ethnic minority interest online radio in Galway that aims to support marginalised communities to integrate into Irish media; to address underrepresentation, decision making, under-employment, language barriers, social exclusion and discrimination faced by the Minority community in Galway. Founder Islammiyah Saudique is based in Galway.
TSLI – Gavin Timlin
Delivering pre-employment training and integration support services for people seeking asylum in Ireland. Founder Gavin Timlin’s first pilot programme helped bring 42 individuals into employment, and he is looking to bring on more participants from four Direct Provision centers.
Seed Scholars – Eliya Lavine
A nature-based experiential education initiative that seeks to re-root young people and their networks in relationships of curiosity and care with the outdoor environment. Eliya is working on expanding her programmes both online and in person, to meet the interest in her initiative.
Move2B – Órna & Niamh Murray
Empowering girls and young women so they feel welcome and supported in sports and physical activity. Founders and sisters, Órna and Niamh are rolling out pilot programmes in schools, working with girls as well as with coaches, to encourage them to stay in sports.
Cumas Ceangal – Caroline O’Shaughnessy
Helping and guiding disabled people in becoming self-employed by assisting them in finding freelance/contract work and advising on mandatory revenue requirements. Founder Caroline O’Shaughnessy recently finished her Honors Degree, and is bringing her personal and academic experience to the fore in this initiative.
For Flock’s Sake – Sophie Reynolds
Creating a line of green and social products from solid wool, preventing wastage of a sustainable and renewable resource, and providing income to farmers. A very timely piece, founder Sophie Reynolds is focusing on progressing production of her prototype furniture.
Vampire Cup – Glenn Curtin
A student-run initiative which aims to increase information availability and participation rates of blood donation. Glen is working as a doctor in Cork, and has had strong interest from a number of universities to host the inaugural Vampire Cup.
Spéire Nua – Damien Quinn
Working with the criminally convicted to develop a portfolio of ‘commitment to change’ while also facilitating rehabilitation processes. Damien is looking to pilot his initiative this year in Galway.
Virtown – Conor Griffin
A new way of teaching maths in schools which aims to engage students and improve achievement for all. SEI are excited to support Conor to roll out his pilots with schools in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.
