Awards FAQs
1. Why do you make awards to individuals not organisations?
3. My idea is for a project outside Ireland, am I eligible?
4. My project has activities both in Ireland and abroad, am I eligible?
5. What must an idea or project you support be innovative?
6. I am applying for an Award but can’t commit myself to working full-time, can I apply?
7. If I am selected, how much time will I need to commit to the High Impact Programme?
8. If I am selected to receive an Award, why must I commit to participating in the support programme?
9. I completed the Eligibility Questionnaire but have been told that my project is not suitable – why?
10. What sectors or areas do you support?
11. How can the Award be spent?
12. My idea is for a for-profit organisation, am I eligible to apply?
13. I didn’t get an Award last year, can I re-apply?
15. Can I submit a paper version of the application form?
16. I have an application. When will I know whether I have been successful?
17. If my application is successful, when will the first meeting of the group be?
18. How is Social Entrepreneurs Ireland funded?
1. Why do you make awards to individuals not organisations?
At Social Entrepreneurs Ireland our focus is on supporting and developing the social entrepreneur so that they are better able to build and grow their organisations. That is why we target individuals for our Awards Programme.
2. Why must the applicant(s) be the originator of the idea or have been directly involved since the beginning of the project?
In the early stages of an organisation’s development, we believe that the founders or the individuals who had the original idea and are passionate about making that idea a reality, are the best placed to develop the idea, grow the organisation and drive social change.
3. My idea is for a project outside Ireland, am I eligible?
If your project activities only take place outside Ireland and the communities benefiting from your activities are outside Ireland then you are not eligible to apply.
4. My project has activities both in Ireland and abroad, am I eligible?
If a significant proportion of the work you do takes place in Ireland and if you can clearly demonstrate the social benefit or the potential for social benefit which these activities bring to the communities you work with in Ireland, then you may be eligible to apply.
5. Why must an idea or project you support be innovative?
Ireland still suffers from a number of entrenched social problems. In order to address these issues we believe that new, innovative thinking is needed. However, these innovative ideas often struggle to get support, particularly in the early stages of their development. Therefore, through our Awards Programme we support individuals who bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to these problems.
6. I am applying for an Award but cannot commit myself to working full-time, can I apply?
We believe that Awardees need to fully commit themselves to developing their organisation to have maximum impact. Therefore all Awardees must be working full-time or equivalent on their projects for the duration of the Award.
7. If I am selected, how much time must I commit to the High Impact Programme?
The High Impact Programme is an extensive support programme and will require significant input from the Awardee, but all of the time spent will be on activities designed to directly impact and support their organisational activities.The programme will be tailored to meet the needs of the individual social entrepreneur. Social Entrepreneurs Ireland will work with the Awardee to agree the programme structure.
8. If I am selected to receive an Award, why must I commit to participating in the High Impact programme?
The support structure provided through the High Impact Programme is at the heart of the Award. It comprises both financial support and a tailored support programme designed to help social entrepreneurs to maximise their impact and support their personal development. Awardees must commit to participating fully to the programme to gain the benefits it offers and to realise their goal of driving social change. Regular network events will also give social entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet and support other members of the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland network and contribute towards the development of the field overall in Ireland.
9. I completed the Eligibility Criteria but have been told that my project is not suitable – why?
The Awards Programme is specifically targeted at social entrepreneur-led projects that can demonstrate potential for real social impact and that typically are at post pilot, launch / initial growth stage. The Eligibility Criteria aim to ensure that applicants meet some basic requirements of the Awards Programme. They are deliberately brief but not a fully comprehensive guide. If you have a question on eligibility please email applications@socialentrepreneurs.ie.
10. What sectors or areas do you support?
We support projects in a wide range of areas including education and learning, children and young people, older people, mental health, people with disabilities, the environment, community development and new communities. This is not an exhaustive list and we are open to supporting projects in other areas where the potential for social impact can be demonstrated.
11. How can the Award be spent?
Using very broad constraints we consider the Awardee to be the person best suited to decide how their project can benefit from the financial support Social Entrepreneurs Ireland gives (for example we will not fund illegal activities). The Award may be used, for example, to fund the salary of the social entrepreneur or specific initiatives. Personal expenses incurred while working on the project may also be covered by the Award.
12. My idea is for a for-profit organisation, am I eligible to apply?
Yes. We support both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations/models. Once you can demonstrate that your primary focus is to fulfil a social need or that you are generating social capital, you are eligible to apply.
13. I didn’t get an Award last year, can I re-apply?
Each year we receive a greater number of applications and those applications are of an increasingly high standard. We would only recommend reapplying if your project or idea has seen significant progress made over the course of the past year.
14. Am I eligible to apply if I have previously received an Award from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland or a similar funder?
Yes, you are eligible to apply provided you meet all other critieria.
15. Can I submit a paper version of the application form?
No, we will only accept electronic versions of the application form.
16. I have submitted an application. When will I know whether I have been successful?
We will provide a full Awards Timeline with information on the evaluation and interview process when we next open for Applications.
17. If my application is successful, when will the first meeting of the group be?
All successful Awardees will be provided with full information on meetings and activities.
18. How is Social Entrepreneurs Ireland funded?
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is funded by both private foundations and individuals. For more information, please visit our Partners page
