Showcase 2013 Award Winners

The 2013 YSI Showcase took place in the Citywest Hotel in Dublin on Wednesday 8th May with a new Young Social Innovators of the Year being crowned!

Home Angels & Study Buddies Interviewed For Newstalk

The Home Angels and Study Buddies teams were interviewed for Newstalk FM recently!

Press Release: President Michael D. Higgins Becomes Patron of Young Social Innovators

Young Social Innovators (YSI) has been honoured by the recently announced patronage of President Michael D Higgins.

Project Feedback & Showcase Selections

Project Feedback and selections for the 2013 Showcase will be available here later today from 3pm.

YSI Den Selections 2013

The teams selected to go forward to the Young Social Innovators’ Den have been announced!

Cork Café Evening Date Changed

The second YSI Café evening in Cork will now be held on Wednesday 27th March 2013. Are you 18-25ish? Join us for a free cuppa and a whole lot of inspiration.

Innovate! March 2013 Edition

The March edition of Innovate! has been released with articles on everything YSI related from the first few months of 2013!
15th of March 2013

YSI’s New Social Innovation Hub

Young Social Innovators will be launching a new Social Innovation Hub for beta testing in the coming days

YSI Title Holders Inspire Social Change

Publishing the Agenda for Justice and Home Affairs Informal Meeting, Minister Alan Shatter announced that Ireland would be holding this country’s first annual National Missing Persons Day in December.
11th of January 2013

Book now for January’s In-Service Workshops

Book now for the Young Social Innovators in-service training which begins tomorrow, the 12th of January, in DCU, Dublin, and will take place in a number of venues throughout the country during the rest of the month.
11th of January 2013

Innovate! Christmas Special 2012 Published!

The special Christmas 2012 edition of the Innovate newsletter has been published! Including news on YSI teams in the media, a look at cyber-bullying & other projects for 2013 and a call for official YSI bloggers!
18th of December 2012

Colaiste Bride Clondalkin students will be on Liffey Sound this Saturday!

Impact, a new programme on Liffey Sound 96.4 FM, will be interviewing Colaiste Bride Clondalkin students about their YSI project tomorrow, Saturday November 24th!

PRESS RELEASE: Mental Health and Cyber Bullying of Huge Concern to Ireland’s Youth

Large numbers of social innovation project ideas submitted to Young Social Innovators this year are to focus on issues relating to mental health and cyber bullying.

Innovate! Alumni Winter Edition Published!

The winter edition of the Alumni Innovate newsletter has been published! Including news on YSI being up for an award, internships and more!

Notice: Vote for Go Do Video

The YSI and Vodafone Ireland Foundation ‘Go Do’ video is in the running for the ‘Better Together’ community programme run by The Wheel.
19th of November 2012

Innovate! October Edition Now published

Catch up on all the latest news and event information in our monthly e-zine.

Innovate! Newsletter September Edition Now Published

Find out all the latest news taking place at Young Social Innovators and look back at 2012

PRESS RELEASE:Young People Challenged to Drive Change in Ireland

Young Social Innovators, supported by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation launch 2012-13 Education Programme

Book now for September In-service Workshops - Cork Date Changed

YSI In-service workshops for educators will take place throughout September. Reserve a place in one of these workshops today.

Exciting Opportunity in New Role: Online Community Officer

Another exciting new position is available within our company.

New Role: Social Innovation Engagement Co-ordinator

As part of the Vodafone Ireland World of Difference Programme we are seeking a Social Innovation Engagement Co-ordinator

Dublin 9th May 2012: Young Social Innovators of 2012 Announced

The recipients of the awards for Young Social Innovators of 2012 were announced at 4pm today (9.05.12) during the annual showcase of Young Social Innovators at Citywest Hotel.  A total of seventeen schools were given special recognition for their social innovation projects:

Dublin 9th May2012: Young People Best Placed to Withstand the Challenges of Modern Ireland

Young people are demonstrating their resilience to the recession and coming up with positive solutions to Ireland’s problems. That’s according to the Co-founder and Chairperson of Young Social Innovators (YSI) Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, who addressed the Annual Showcase of Young Social Innovators today (09.05.12).

Vodafone Ireland invest €400,000 in Young Social Innovators to engage 100,000 young people in social

Today, 27th June, Irish singer-songwriter Mundy joined Jeroen Hoencamp, Vodafone Ireland CEO, and Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, Co-founder and Chairperson of Young Social Innovators, to unveil a new and ambitious partnership between Vodafone Ireland and Young Social Innovators to enable young people across the country to use their voice, creativity, talents and passion to become a force for positive change in their communities.

Vodafone Ireland Foundation Official Partner to Young Social Innovators

Vodafone Ireland invest €400,000 in Young Social Innovators to engage 100,000 young people in social innovation across Ireland

YSI is recruiting a Programme, Operations & Governance Manager

The person appointed will be a member of the organization’s Senior Management team with responsibility for planning, organising and directing Programmes, Operations and Governance.

Young Social Innovators get their day

They are missing, but they won’t be forgotten. There will be a national day each year for missing people after a campaign by a determined group of students ended in success yesterday.

Students’ new book promotes healthy eating

A children’s book, created by transition year students in Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School, has just hit local bookshelves.

Proposed National Day for Missing People

A Cork school’s transition year initiative to help trace missing people is to be suggested by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter to the European Council.

YSI Students on RTEs The John Murray Show

Listen to YSI projects being interviewed on RTÉ‘s The John Murray Show Thursday 10th May 2012

Coverage of Annual Showcase 2012

View some of the recent online coverage of the YSI Annual Showcase 2012

Award Winning Projects 2012

View a listing of the award winning projects celebrated at the Annual Showcase of Young Social Innovators on 9th May 2012

Students impress Dragons

Students from Loreto Secondary School in Letterkenny received €800 in funding following the pitch of their social innovation idea to several business entrepreneurs in a Dragon-type Den on Thursday last.

Students seek to put Braille on the menu

Restaurateur Derry Clarke and the Restaurant Association of Ireland are backing students are campaigning to encourage restaurants to provide Braille versions of their menus for visually impaired customers.

YSI Team to Meet An Taoiseach

The YSI team ‘Positive Ageing from Colaiste Muire, Ennis, Co. Clare will meet An Taoiseach Enda Kenny today to present their ideas and initiatives on making Ennis a more age friendly town,

YSI Project Feedback and Showcase Selections

YSI Project Feedback and Showcase Selections now available.

Innovate! Newsletter March Edition Now Published

This month’s newsletter features a review of the YSI Speak Out Fora 2012

Students from Navan Youthreach raise €1,000 for River Rescue fund

Students and staff from Youthreach Foundation in Navan raised an impressive €1,000 for the Meath River Rescue Sponsor A Brick campaign over last weekend.

Scrap Transition Year to help the elderly?

Calls have been made suggesting that Transition Year be scrapped, and branding it an “indulgent luxury”.

Top marks for Forget Me Not!

Forget Me Not - the project being undertaken by students from the young social innovators group in Davis College Mallow has been raising awareness for missing persons with noted success. The group are lobbying for a national Missing Person’s Day and will be making a trip to the Dáil later in March with this in mind.

YSI Den Selections 2012

Congratulations to the following teams who have been selected to pitch in the YSI Den 2012

South Leinster: 22nd March 2012: Young People Advocate for Action on Ireland’s Most Pressing Social

Initiatives concerning young people’s mental health featured most strongly amongst the social innovation projects that were presented in Kilkenny today (22nd March) at Young Social Innovators’ South Leinster ‘Speak Out’ event of 2012.

Ulster: 20th March 2012: Young People Advocate for Action on Ireland’s Most Pressing Social Issues

Initiatives concerning young people’s mental health and cancer awareness featured strongly amongst the social innovation projects that were presented in Donegal today (20th March) at Young Social Innovators’ Ulster ‘Speak Out’ event of 2012.

Ulster: 20th March 2012: Young People Advocate for Action on Ireland’s Most Pressing Social Issues

Initiatives concerning young people’s mental health and cancer awareness featured strongly amongst the social innovation projects that were presented in Donegal today (20th March) at Young Social Innovators’ Ulster ‘Speak Out’ event of 2012.

YSI Den Selections Available Tuesday 27th

Online notification for projects selected for the YSI Den will be available on the website on Tuesday 27th March 2012, after 3pm.

Munster: 13th March 2012 Young People Advocate for Action on Ireland’s Most Pressing Social Issues

Initiatives concerning young people’s mental health featured most strongly amongst the social innovation projects that were presented in Cork City Hall today (13.03.12) at Young Social Innovators’ Munster ‘Speak Out’ event of 2012.

Munster: 13th March 2012 Young People Advocate for Action on Ireland’s Most Pressing Social Issues

Initiatives concerning young people’s mental health featured most strongly amongst the social innovation projects that were presented in Cork City Hall today (13.03.12) at Young Social Innovators’ Munster ‘Speak Out’ event of 2012.

Connacht: 8th March 2012: Young People Advocate for Action on Ireland’s Most Pressing Social Issues

Initiatives concerning young people’s mental health featured most strongly amongst the 38 innovation projects that were presented in The Ardilaun Hotel Galway today (08.03.12) at Young Social Innovators’ Connaught ‘Speak Out’ event of 2012.

Connacht: 8th March 2012: Young People Advocate for Action on Ireland’s Most Pressing Social Issues

Initiatives concerning young people’s mental health featured most strongly amongst the 38 innovation projects that were presented in The Ardilaun Hotel Galway today (08.03.12) at Young Social Innovators’ Connaught ‘Speak Out’ event of 2012.

National: 6th March 2012: Young People Advocate for Action on Ireland’s Most Pressing Social Issues

Initiatives concerning young people’s mental health featured most strongly amongst the 66 innovation projects that were presented in The Helix, Dublin City University today (06.03.12) at Young Social Innovators’ first ‘Speak Out’ event of 2012.

National: 6th March 2012: Young People Advocate for Action on Ireland’s Most Pressing Social Issues

Initiatives concerning young people’s mental health featured most strongly amongst the 66 innovation projects that were presented in The Helix, Dublin City University today (06.03.12) at Young Social Innovators’ first ‘Speak Out’ event of 2012.

YSI Speak Out Fora 2012 Launch March 6th

The YSI Speak Out Fora 2012 will launch on March 6th in The Helix, DCU kicking off eleven regional Speak Out events around Ireland throughout March.

Innovate! Newsletter February Edition Now Published

Read all of the latest news and events from Young Social Innovators

YSI Project Reports Due 2nd March: What you need to know

All YSI project reports are due by Friday 2nd March. There are a range of exciting opportunities available to teams for consideration.

Young Social Innovators team members present research at Leinster House

Transition-year pupils of Coláiste Muire, who have made it their mission to make Ennis an age-friendly town, have taken their plans to the Government this week.

Inviting Applications for the Starbucks Youth Action fund

If you are aged 16-24 and have a great idea for a project that will impact the young people in your community, you could get up to €2000 in funding from Starbucks Youth Action. All Dublin-based Young Social Innovators’ project teams should apply!

Dylan Haskins’ €10,000 to 10 Charities

Young Social Innovators were delighted to be one of the 10 charities & campaigns chosen by Dylan Haskins when he decided to give away €10,000 from his election campaign fund and expenses reimbursement.

Students give thumbs down to flouride in our drinking water

Oscar Wilde claimed that ’ youth was wasted on the young.’ Not so with the Transition Year Students from Mounthawk School in Tralee. At a meeting last Wednesday of Transition Town Tralee, the students and their teacher, Martha Brassil, informed those present about their YSI project and why they strongly believe that fluroide should not be put through our drinking water.

Coláiste Muire, Ennis pupils moot age-friendly plan

Signage making motorists in Ennis aware of elderly pedestrians, reduced prices for pensioners and a lengthening of traffic light times. These are just some of the innovative ideas being put forward by Coláiste Muire pupils who believe that the town has the potential to become an Age Friendly Town.

Cafe ‘Boomerang’ to be opened for the Summer!

It is hoped the long-awaited youth cafe for Drogheda now named the Boomerang Cafe will be open to young people by summer of this year.

Pobalscoil Chorea Dhuibhne’s teachers get a lesson in uniformity!

Anyone visiting Dingle’s Pobalscoil Chorea Dhuibhne last Monday might have been rather confused to find the teachers wearing school uniforms and the students in ‘civvies’.

January Innovate Now Published!

January’s edition of YSI’s newsletter Innovate! has just been published.

YSI In-service Training - CARRICK-On-SHANNON & LIMERICK

The last in the series of YSI Advocate Training sessions will take place in Carrick-on-Shannon and Limerick on Friday!

YSI Advocate Training - CARRICK-on-SHANNON

The last in the series of YSI Advocate Training sessions will take place in Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday!

YSI Advocate Training - DUBLIN

Following on from last week’s successful Advocate Training, tomorrow’s course will take place in DCU

YSI In-service Training - DUBLIN

Following on from last week’s successful IST, tomorrow’s course will take place in DCU

YSI students of Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy aim to combat regional homelessness this year.

The project entitled ‘Homeless Not Helpless’, focuses on giving a helping hand to those on the streets. Inspired by the recent harsh winters, the project attempts to raise awareness, reduce stereotypes and help the homeless survive the difficult winter months.

YSI students in Desmond College aim to build civic pride

With a remix of hit single and a twist on a popular TV show, transition year students at Desmond College in Newcastle West are hoping to provide a boost to a number of charities and community projects in West Limerick.

TV girls gather support for change in prostitution law

A petition calling for prostitution to be made illegal in Ireland garnered the support of members of the public when Transition Year students in St Mary’s Secondary School took to the streets of New Ross last week seeking signatures.

YSI In-service Training - CORK

The second series of YSI In-service Training sessions is beginning in Cork tomorrow!

YSI Advocate Training - CORK

The second series of YSI Advocate Training sessions has begun in Cork today!

December Innovate Now Published!

December’s edition of Innovate has just been published and is available to view online!

Sacred Heart School, YSI team will organise another Teen Aware Concert

Due to the enormous success of the 2011 Teen Aware concert, the organisation of the second annual Teen Aware event is already underway. It will take place on Good Friday, the 6th April, 2012. The 2012 Teen Aware looks set to be even bigger and better than the 2011 event that saw over 700 teenagers attend..

YSI students raising awareness of homelessness

THE Transition Year students in Colaiste Chiarain in Leixlip are raising awareness of homelessness through a Young Social Innovator project which includes having a ‘Sleep- Out’ outside the school on Thursday, 8th December.

Students launch initiative to save vital counselling service

A GROUP of fourth year students from Pobalscoil Chorea Dhuibhne are lighting to save a counselling service that offers vital support to young people up to the age of 25 in the West Kerry area.

YSI Advocates Fuel Collection

YSI Advocates from the Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown Centre of Social Innovators have organised a fuel collection from Monday 12th December to Thursday 15th December for local members of their community who experience financial difficulties at this time of year.

Boomerang - Drogheda’s new Youth Cafe

Plans are progressing well for Boomerang - Drogheda’s new Youth Cafe, with a new logo and website designed and a number of fundraising events planned for the coming months.

YSI Launches Internship Programme for Alumni

YSI’s exciting new Internship Programme provides work experience and skills training to members of its alumni, i.e. people over 18 years old who have participated in a YSI project, during their second level education.

November Innovate Now Published!

November edition of YSI’s newsletter Innovate! has just been published.

YSI team ‘Flouride Fighters’ from Mercy Mounthawk to tackle water issue

TY students from Mercy Secondary School, Mounthawk , Tralee are voicing their concerns about the potential dangers of flouride in water.

YSI featured on Newstalk’s Global Village

YSI’s CEO Rachel Collier, along with former YSI participant Oisin McHugh from Presentation College, Carlow speak with Global Village host Dil Wickremasinghe, explaining what YSI is about and how social innovation contributes to a more inclusive Ireland.

Alumni Innovate Published

First edition of Alumni Innovate has just been published.

Mallow students’ campaign praised

The mother of Ireland’s longest missing person paid an emotional tribute yesterday to Cork students who have launched a nationwide awareness campaign for missing people.

Tuam Young Social Innovators are getting busy!

This week the students of Presentation College, Tuam have been focussing on their projects for Young Social Innovators 2011/ 2012.

Young Social Innovators Winners featured in HSE’s ‘Health Matters’ National Magazine

‘Health Matters’, the HSE Magazine featured winning projects from the 2010/ 2011 YSI Showcase highlighting the strong links between YSI and the HSE.

October Innovate Now Published!

October edition of YSI’s newsletter Innovate! has just been published.

National, 8th May 2011: Willing, Able but Ignored - Results of Young Social Innovators’ Survey of Ir

The results are from a survey of Irish teenagers¹ conducted by Empathy Research on behalf of Young Social Innovators (YSI), Ireland’s largest civic action programme for young people, to mark their 10th Showcase and Awards, which take place on Wednesday next, 11th May 2011.

Dublin, 11th May 2011: Cork school named ‘Young Social Innovators of the Year 2011’

Runners-up were Davis College, Mallow, Co. Cork with a project which highlighted the cases of ‘Missing Persons’. The winning students were presented with their awards by Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, Chairperson and Co-founder, Young Social Innovators at a special ceremony in the Citywest Convention Centre attended by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD as well as almost 3,000 young people. The ceremony marked the conclusion of the 10th Young Social Innovators Annual Showcase. Mount Mercy College receive €1,500 to develop their project and will meet President Mary McAleese at Aras an Uachtarain in September.

National, 27th September 2011: President invites Young Social Innovators of the Year 2011 to Áras

The students were awarded the prestigious title of Young Social Innovators of the Year 2011 for their project “Divert Your Stride from Suicide” at the spectacular Annual Showcase of Young Social Innovators’ Awards Ceremony which was held in Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre on 11th May 2011. Their project was selected by a panel of judges out of hundreds of social innovation projects submitted to YSI by over 5,500 students nationwide.

President applauds the Young Social Innovators of the Year 2011 in Áras an Uachtaráin

The Young Social Innovators of the Year 2011 ‘Divert your Stride from Suicide’ met with President Mc Aleese in Áras an Uachtaráin today and were congratulated on their award-winning project to promote awareness about the growing and tragic issue of suicide.

September’s edition of Innovate has just been published and is available to view online!

Read about our trip to meet President Mc Aleese and all the rest of our news.

YSI Project Outline Deadline

YSI teams are asked to send in details of their project outline to YSI before Wednesday 12th October 2011.

YSI at the National Ploughing Championships

Look out for the YSI stand at the National Ploughing Championships this week in Athy, Co. Kildare.

August’s edition of Innovate has just been published and is available to view online!

Find out about what YSI have in store for you this year.

In-service training (IST) - booking now open

The YSI In-service workshops are designed for educators of participating organisations.

National Day of Volunteering - 30th September 2011

YSI encourages all its young people and guides to get involved in The National Day of Volunteering (NDV).

Apply NOW! 2011/ 2012

Has your second level school/ youth education centre signed up to YSI 2011/ 2012?

Calling all Young Social Innovators… Are you studying now at third level?

Would you consider being part of a YSI soc in your college or university?

National, 5th September 2011: Is your school driving learning in innovation?

National, 5th September 2011 Is your school driving learning in innovation? Sign up your organisation to the Social Innovation Programme now!

Young Social Innovators is calling on young people – in schools, youth reach and youth services – to take up its Challenge to change the world for good! This year’s Social Innovation Programme is now open for all such organisations to take part.

YSI Information Evenings

A series of introductory talks will give an overview of the YSI programme and its benefits to young people and educators.