YSI Social Innovation Programme
The Young Social Innovators (YSI) Social Innovation Programme is a youth-led, team-based, action focused programme.
Working in teams of 5-25 young people identify a social issue of concern to them, explore it and come up with real actions and responses.
The programme forms part of the work of Young Social Innovators in promoting and leading the way in education for social innovation in Ireland. The Social Innovation Programme encourages, motivates and creates new opportunities for young people to actively participate in the world around them, developing their innate sense of justice, responsibility and passion to create a fairer, more caring and equal society. It forms part of the work of Young Social Innovators in promoting and leading the way in education for social innovation in Ireland.
Who can take part?
Any group of young people, aged 15-18 yrs, can take part from schools to youth groups to youth services and development organisations in any part of the Republic of or Northern Ireland.
How can this programme be used?
The Social Innovation Programme suits all abilities and can fit into a range of subject curricula including SPHE, Home Economics, Religious Education, LA, LCVP, and others. can be initiated on any social issue. The YSI pedagogy draws on and embraces best practice in areas such as citizenship, human rights, development, environmental protection, health and social enterprise education. The framework developed by YSI for social innovation learning is referred to simply as the 4C’s of social innovation.
Elements of the Social Innovation Programme
CARE: Working in teams to choose a social issue teams feel passionately about and gain and in-depth understanding of that issue.
COOPERATE: Young people collaborate with each other, involve others within their educational setting and create relevant links within their community and beyond.
CHANGE: Through their understanding of the issue and the links created, teams take action to make a real and lasting change.
COMMUNICATE: Throughout their project young people communicate their message to raise awareness and influence others..
Speaking Out!
Platforms are offered by YSI at regional and national levels to teams to advocate to wider audiences. It encourages teams to find ways to advocate in local areas.
Evidence of Learning
YSI is about self directed and evidence based learning. Teams submit a short project report giving them an opportunity to reflect on their learning. A YSI Panel considers all reports submitted and provides feedback based on the evidence from both the project report and Speak Out presentation.
Optional Extras!
The YSI Den
Budding social entrepreneurs can apply to take part in the YSI Dragons’ Den. Teams pitch their ideas to a panel of experts and can ask for money, means or mentoring to increase impact and sustain their project.
Fun-raising Challenge
Teams that raise awareness and funds can take part in this challenge. Every team that applies receives an information pack on effective fundraising.
Annual Showcase of Young Social Innovators
This is the biggest celebration and showcase of social innovation in Ireland. YSI teams can apply to be selected to showcase their work at this wonderful event which demonstrates the energy, passion and innovation of young people to work for the well being of others and society.
Centres of Social Innovators
This is a new whole centre approach to facilitating social innovation education. Organisations are invited to apply to this programme from 2011 onwards and are drawn from those which participate in the Social Innovation Programme.
YSI Supports
In-service Training Workshops
YSI Guides are provided with two modules of in-services facilitated by experienced teachers. Excellent supports and active learning methodologies are available. YSI provides certification to attendees. To date over 1,200 educators have received YSI in-service training.
Online Resources
Regular updates, a step by step guide to YSI classroom activities, a resource library, monthly newsletter, calendar and much more are available in the YSI Guide Resource Zone. A dedicated MyYSI area allows fast online bookings, payments and project feedback.
The YSI Education Support Team
The YSI Education Officers are available to help and support teams and educators throughout the year.
Resources, books and e-zine publications
YSI offers a range of well tested methodologies, planning workbooks and high quality resources in interactive learning which can be used in a variety of settings and subjects for social action projects. It’s monthly e-zine Innovate! gives regular updates, news and highlights some amazing work!
Benefits of Young Social Innovators
For young people YSI promotes:
For educators YSI