“Social Innovation is having an impact in every county across Ireland and is providing solutions to many critical societal needs. They are also creating valuable employment. Since our establishment three years ago we have supported over 64 social innovations, located in every county in Ireland. In 2018 our Awardees created 97 new jobs and tackled issues in Education, Healthcare, Socioeconomic disadvantage, Gender Inequality and Social Exclusion. The strength of social innovation is that they are often responding to a need in their own community, that with the right funding and supports, could be expanded to other counties across Ireland. This national strategy is important if the untapped potential of this sector is to be realised. And we welcome the Government’s continued commitment to creating the environment in which social innovation can flourish and the supports they need to expand and grow”, she said.

Rethink Ireland is Ireland’s largest funder of social innovation in Ireland with a fund of over €28 million. Established three years ago to support social innovations to scale and help accelerate the solving of Ireland’s critical social issues, funding is secured from corporates, foundations, SMEs, families and individuals and matched funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development from the Dormant Funds Account. Rethink Ireland supports social innovations to successfully deliver new approaches to meet social needs more effectively and sustainably than those currently available. 

Click here to read the full strategy. For more information on our response and our Social Enterprise Development Fund contact: stephanie@socialinnovation.ie