Having shown a dedicated commitment to social innovation education, these schools have been invited to lead the way in becoming Communities of Excellence in social innovation. 

In order to achieve this status, a group of YSI Advocates (a leadership group of young people trained by Young Social Innovators) works to embed a culture of social innovation within their school bringing as many people as possible on board to creatively address one common annual theme. The journey to becoming a Community of Excellence takes three years. In each of these years the school focuses on one of three Innovate Themes: Our Community; Local and Global Justice; and Health and Wellbeing.

In October, some 250 young Advocates were trained by YSI’s Education Officers in cluster groups around the country. The Advocates learned about the process of social innovation and creative ways to engage members of their school community. They also looked at the year ahead and planning events that will allow everyone in their school to identify social issues that they care about.

The energy, enthusiasm and creativity of all the Advocates was genuinely inspiring and we would like to thank all of the schools that hosted training sessions and the teachers who helped coordinate team’s attendance.
 

The 25 schools working towards their YSI Community of Excellence Award in 2016 are:

• Árdscoil na Tríonóide, Athy, Co. Kildare
• Ballincollig Community School, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
• Bishoptown Community School, Bishoptown, Co. Cork
• C.B.S Thurles,Co. Tipperary
• Carrigaline Community School, Carrigaline, Co. Cork
• Coláiste Bride, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
• Colaiste Mhuire, Askeaton, Co. Limerick
• Collinstown Park Community School, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
• Davis College, Mallow, Co. Cork
• Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy, Co. Cork
• Mercy Secondary School, Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry
• Moyne Community School, Moyne, Co. Longford
• Newtown School, Waterford
• Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumount, Dublin 9
• Presentation College, Currylea, Tuam, Co. Galway
• Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
• Sacred Heart Secondary School, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
• Schull Community College, Schull, Co. Cork
• Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon
• St. Brendan’s College, Killarney, Co. Kerry
• St. Colman’s Community College, Midleton, Co. Cork
• St. Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties, Co. Donegal
• St. Declan’s Community College, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford
• St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge, Co, Westmeath
• Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

The first YSI Communities of Excellence Awards will be achieved in 2016.