National Call for Applications 2026
Every year, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) launches a nationwide search for bold, innovative individuals ready to tackle our most pressing social and environmental challenges. We believe that those closest to the problem are best equipped to solve it. Since 2004, we have supported over 660 social entrepreneurs by providing the strategic guidance, expert mentorship, and resilient leadership training needed to turn high-potential ideas into lasting national impact.
From 23 March to 20 April 2026, we are inviting you to step forward. Whether you are at the initial ideation stage or leading an operational organisation ready to scale, our programmes are designed to strengthen your foundations and amplify your voice. Join a vibrant community of social entrepreneurs and access the tools, funding, and support network required to build a more equitable and sustainable Ireland.
Our Programmes
Ireland faces complex social challenges that current systems struggle to solve, often leaving the most vulnerable behind. At Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, we believe social entrepreneurs are the problem solvers who see these gaps and take bold action to create a brighter future.
National Call for Applications 2026
Each year, we launch a nationwide search for innovative ideas to tackle Ireland’s social and environmental problems. This is your opportunity to step forward, join a vibrant community of leaders, and turn your vision into transformative impact.
National Call Dates: 23rd March to 20th April 2026.
How We Support You
We don’t just back ideas; we back the people behind them at every stage of their journey. Our model is designed to ease and strengthen a founder’s path from early concept to systemic change through:
From early-stage ideas to proven solutions ready to scale, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland provides:
- Tailored Mentorship to help leaders make strategic decisions.
- Expert Training and hands-on consultancy.
- Strategic Funding to accelerate social impact.
- A Vibrant Peer Community that amplifies both personal and collective impact.
Open Opportunities
The Ideas Academy: From Idea to Action
Do you have an innovative idea to tackle a social or environmental problem? The Ideas Academy is a three-month programme designed to provide budding social entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to move from a concept to a tangible pilot.
We back people with personal insight into an issue who are ambitious, entrepreneurial, and passionate about creating social change. Whether you are a student, a parent, or a professional, we value the lived experience you bring to the table.
What the Programme Offers
Through a mix of online and in-person sessions, you will develop the core capabilities required to build a sustainable social enterprise.
- Refine Your Solution: Deepen your understanding of the problem and validate your approach through structured workshops.
- Skill Building: Gain practical experience in storytelling, pitching, and action planning.
- Peer Support: Join a community of like-minded individuals to share feedback and build resilience.
- Pilot Funding: Upon completion, you will have the opportunity to pitch for pilot funding.
The Impact Programme: Scaling for Sustained Impact
The Impact Programme is a nine-month journey supporting Ireland’s highest-potential social entrepreneurs who have proven their model and are ready to scale their solutions to tackle the country’s biggest social challenges. We provide the critical scaffolding needed to grow from a successful pilot to a sustainable, national-level organisation.
How We Elevate Your Impact
Through a combination of unrestricted funding and professional support worth, we focus on four core pillars of growth:
- Stronger Organisation: Tailored advice on structure, financial capacity, and impact measurement.
- Resilient Leaders: Leadership development to strengthen your adaptability and personal resilience.
- Impactful Voice: Support in communicating your mission and connecting with key stakeholders.
- Long-Lasting Social Change: Networking and collaboration strategies to tackle root problems at a transformational level.
What You Receive
- Strategic Funding: unrestricted funding to use where your organisation needs it most, such as salary or team expansion.
- Expert Consultancy: Access to hands-on support in areas like legal, marketing, and finance.
- Tailored Mentorship: Matching with highly experienced coaches and mentors to help you make confident, strategic decisions.
- Peer Community: Membership in a vibrant community of leaders, fostering collaboration and shared learning.
