YSI for Educators

Young Social Innovators is a youth-led, team based, civic action programme for young people in Ireland. It engages young people in real social issues that concern them and supports them to come up with innovative actions and responses. Some 6,000 young people take part each year througout Ireland and develop social action projects and some up with new ideas to change the world for good.

How it works

YSI is facilitated throughout Ireland by educators, teacher, youth and community leaders, youth workers and parents. They motivate, support and guide YSI project teams as they practice social innovation and progress their causes. YSI, in turn, supports these educators, called YSI Guides, by providing resources, workshops and forums to share learning, experience and to build capaciity.

 

Where to begin

Get your school, youthreach centre or service to apply. The Social Innovation Programme begins in September with educator In-service training. Download an organisation application form (available from May onwards) or apply online.

What’s Involved?

Each participating organization linked into the YSI programme can expect the following support and offers to educators and pupils:

In-service training workshops for teachers / youth leaders twice during the year in September and January

Invitation to provincial YSI Speak Out Fora in March

Access to the Education Zone on the YSI website which contains resources for facilitation of the programme

Assessment of all YSI projects submitted in report format to YSI

Screening for selection to the Annual Showcase of Young Social Innovators, usually held in May

YSI Works!

One third of students, when asked, believe they are more involved in their local community as a result of YSI.
46% of students said that they wanted to continue their YSI project; 26% actually did continue.
90% of YSI Guides (teachers) feel that YSI suits young people of varying aptitudes.
90% of YSI Guides feel that YSI is a worthwhile learning experience.

Source: Stop Talking and Do Something! An Independent Evaluation of Young Social Innovators by Jim Gleeson, Diarmuid O Donnabhainn, Orla McCormack and Joanne O’Flaherty, Dublin, December 2009.

Benefits for Educators

Educators get involved in YSI by signing their school or centre up to take part and committing time to working with a YSI Team/s. It’s a great opportunity for educators to continue to learn and grow both professionally and personally.

Continuing Professional Development is offered to you so that you…

Learn to lead young people in practicing social innovation

Receive valuable resources—workbooks, Guides’ Zone on website, active learning methods, education packs from YSI’s educational partners

Learn new skills in both a personal and professional capacity

Continue to develop an an educator

Meet other committed educators and giving/receiving support opportunities to young people to practice social innovation

Earn YSI Certification for participation

Benefits for schools/centres

Any second level educational or developmental setting for teenagers can take on a YSI project. The majority of participating organizations have been involved for a number of years because they find that the YSI porgramme:

Contributes to school/centre’s meeting Department of Education and Science Whole School Evaluation criteria (for example, cross cultural development, needs and interests of students, deployment of skills, knowledge and interests of teachers, degree of student initiative/creativity in applying knowledge)

Compliments academic subjects and existing programs (for example, Transition Year, Development Education, Leaving Certificate Applied, Communication, FETAC modules)

Encourages and actively promotes the development of links between the school population and the local community

Promotes the schools/Centres ethos of care and holistic development of young people

Promotes cooperation within student population and also between students and staff

Promotes new opportunities for civic engagement amongst students

Provides benefits in continuing professional development for educators

Suitable for all students