Meet Ireland’s newest wave of changemakers

Following our 2025 National Call for Applications, we are proud to introduce the inspiring social entrepreneurs selected for The Ideas Academy and The Impact Programme. These individuals are tackling some of Ireland’s most pressing social and environmental challenges with bold ideas and unwavering determination.

215
Applications Submitted
125
Reviewers Engaged
40
Judges Involved
28
Social Entrepreneurs Selected

The Impact Programme 2025/26

Meet the 5 social entrepreneurs building stronger foundations and scaling their work for long-term change.

Access Earth

Matthew McCann

Access Earth is dedicated to improving accessibility for all. They offer a range of services including Accessibility Awareness Training, Office Accessibility Assessment, and expert advice on accessibility policy alignment.
Beauty Business in a Box®

Sarah Naylor McNamee

Beauty Business in a Box® is a practical, confidence-building training programme that helps women and girls gain beauty skills, business tools, and a renewed belief in themselves. It’s designed specifically for women who feel left behind by traditional education and employment routes.
Beyond Surviving

Ciara Mangan

Beyond Surviving is dedicated to connecting survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence and supporting their healing, wellbeing and personal growth while also advocating for the needs of survivors, such as working to secure a commitment to post-crisis support.
Síolta Chroí

Gareth Conlon

Síolta Chroí aims to restore Ireland’s ecosystems and communities via: non-formal education for farmers that focuses on reconnection with the land; exploring regenerative food systems that respect the producer; and restoring degraded landscapes.
Wolf Academy

Cormac Noonan

Wolf Academy provide wellbeing solutions to schools across Ireland using an approach that blends ancient practices with modern science. They work across the school environment, providing solutions for, not just students but also, teachers, principals and parents.

“Meeting the other participants at the co-design day was incredibly energising. I’m excited to grow Access Earth and SPACES with the support of the SEI community and drive real, inclusive change.”

Matt McCannfounder of Access Earth

“Being chosen for Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s Impact Programme with Beauty Business in a Box® fills me with pride and purpose. It is a moment where I feel truly seen, valued, and heard. To stand alongside the next round of Irish change makers is humbling, and it inspires me to keep building a movement that helps women and girls earn the money they need to live the lives that they want. This opportunity is not just for me, but for every woman whose potential deserves to be recognised and realised.”

Sarah Naylor McNameefounder of Beauty Business in a Box

“I’m beyond ecstatic to have been selected as one of this year’s awardees on the SEI Impact Programme. This award goes so much further than the €20,000 funding, for which Beyond Surviving is incredibly thrilled to receive. What I feel most privileged to avail of is the support, community, networks, and opportunities this programme is known to bring about. That type of support is simply immeasurable. It’s going to be an incredible journey, and it’s an absolute honour to experience this alongside such inspiring, mission-driven fellow awardees. Stay tuned!!”

Ciara Manganfounder of Beyond Surviving

“Síolta Chroí are privileged and very excited to be taking part in this year's impact programme. Our focus of restoring the ecosystems of Ireland as a way of working on many of the local and global will be massively supported by the support of SEI.
Our first meeting was really exciting to be in a room with four great people and organisations doing very different but vital work.”

Gareth Conlonfounder of Síolta Chroí

“We are very excited to be part of the Impact Programme with Social Entrepreneurs Ireland this year as we look to bring Wolf Academy to more schools across Ireland. Since we started in 2020 we have had hopes of scaling our school wellbeing solutions across the country and I am confident this programme will give us the tools, advice and guidance we need to do that in the best way possible. It is also uplifting to be on this journey alongside other passionate founders with important social missions”

Cormac Noonanco-founder of Wolf Academy

The Ideas Academy 2025.

Meet 20 early-stage social entrepreneurs who are turning powerful ideas into action — laying the groundwork for long-term social change.

“
Claire TwomeyADHD Connections

“Ireland’s first ADHD support hub combining virtual tools, tailored coaching, and peer support to empower neurodivergent individuals through accessibility, innovation, and community.”

“
Aisha Khalil Mohamed Alameen BetroAisha AED Initiative

“A youth-led project strengthening emergency response through AED awareness, CPR training, and community capacity-building—saving lives through grassroots action.”

“
Hui Jie Leang & Yuen Khuan ChanArtsProud

“Creative engagement programmes for seniors using art, music, and movement to reduce isolation and support brain health.”

“
Gofran ShakairClever Cogs Studio

“Screen-free workshops that teach children the logic of coding through hands-on tools like Turing Tumble—building critical thinking, creativity, and confidence for a digital future.”

“
David LysaghtD&C Equestrian

“An inclusive equestrian centre offering riding lessons and livery services across the Northeast, South Armagh, and Down.”

“
Keith CorcoranDrumhome Living Rivers Conservation Group

“A community-led initiative tackling invasive rhododendron while restoring biodiversity and turning cleared waste into sustainable biochar to fund future conservation efforts.”

“
Lilian AnegbeGTW Financial Academy

“Delivering practical financial education nationwide, focused on young people and low-income communities.”

“
Lisa Brennan McGovernHappy Lab

“A first-of-its-kind support kit for people with eating disorders, offering emotional regulation tools during long waits for specialist treatment.”

“
Caroline Lawless & Lisa DunneJuggle Struggle

“Supporting working family carers through coaching and workplace strategies that improve wellbeing, retention, and inclusive company culture.”

“
Beca Wistreich & Alice CliffordLeveraging Impact Measurement for Systems Change

“Building tools and capacity to shift social impact measurement from compliance to learning—empowering organisations and funders to drive systems change.”

“
Justin NolanMindMatters

“Neurodiversity awareness training grounded in lived experience and leading frameworks, creating more inclusive workplaces, schools, and communities.”

“
John PhilpottNeurodevelopmental Clinic

“A one-stop, neuroaffirmative clinic offering early, community-based assessment and support for neurodivergent individuals—accessible regardless of income.”

“
Shona McLoughlin RochePathways Art Club

“Inclusive art sessions for children with additional needs, nurturing creativity, communication, and emotional development through play.”

“
Joan BroderickPathways.ie

“Guiding Leaving Cert students and parents through the transition to further education with clear, accessible support.”

“
Eleanor O’DwyerThe Disconnect Project

“Workshops and talks helping schools and workplaces foster healthier digital habits, mindfulness, and real-world connection without rejecting technology.”

“
Laura HollandThe Lilac Café & Microbakery CLG

“A community café and microbakery creating meaningful, paid employment and training opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.”

“
John MullenTinahely Community Recycling Trail Furniture

“Ireland’s first community-run recycling centre repurposing plastic waste into durable trail furniture for Wicklow and beyond—supporting circular economy and local tourism.”

“
Thomas HalliganTom Halligan’s Social Farm

“An inclusive social farm offering hands-on, therapeutic experiences in nature for people with intellectual disabilities—focused on accessibility, wellbeing, and community connection.”

“
Peter TownsendUR Pace Recovery

“Recovery coaching rooted in lived experience, helping individuals rebuild after addiction through coaching and community support.”

“
Rob KeoghWicklow Weaver - Transport to the Mountains’ Hiking Trails

“An affordable transport link connecting Dublin’s Luas Green Line to trailheads in the Wicklow Mountains, making hiking more accessible without a car.”

The Ideas Academy is kindly supported by
Bank of America
View Organisation
The Ideas Academy is kindly supported by Bank of America

#YourVisionOurSupport

We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our community.

Thank you to our network of individual supporters, corporate supporters and philanthropic foundations who provide a combination of direct funding, skills and expertise to advance the work of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and grow the impact of the social entrepreneurs that we support. Our supporters are as passionate about backing people with ideas and solving social problems, as we are!

Support Us
Kindly supported by
DCC plc.
View Organisation
Supported by DCC