Young Social Innovators to Expand CatalySE Programme with Support from Bank of Ireland’s 2025 Community Fund

Young Social Innovators (YSI), a leading non-profit championing youth-led change, has been named one of the 22 organisations selected to receive funding from the 2025 Bank of Ireland Community Fund. The support will enable YSI to expand its CatalySE Programme, which empowers young people from diverse communities to create innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges, including inequality and climate change.

Thanks to this funding from Bank of Ireland and Community Foundation Ireland, CatalySE will provide participants with mentoring, access to concept funding, and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. The programme equips young people with the creativity, confidence, and practical skills needed to bring their ideas to life and create lasting change in their communities.

We’re excited to grow CatalySE and to support more young people in becoming the changemakers their communities need. When given the right tools and encouragement, young people will lead the way in creating a more inclusive, just and sustainable society.

CatalySE builds on the success of YSI’s Ignite Community Programme and offers young innovators a chance to deepen and scale their ideas into potential start-up social enterprises. Through tailored workshops, business mentoring, and pitch opportunities, participants will strengthen their skills in leadership, problem-solving, financial planning, and more, helping them to shape brighter futures for themselves and others.

The announcement comes as Bank of Ireland launches its 2025 Community Fund, distributing €500,000 to organisations across the island of Ireland that are working to broaden inclusion and support people through education, enterprise, and skills development. 

Since 2020, the Fund has awarded €3 million to 307 community initiatives that promote long-term social and economic impact.

We’re proud to support Young Social Innovators and their CatalySE programme,” said Áine McCleary, Chief Customer Officer at Bank of Ireland. “This year’s grantees are helping people build skills, confidence, and connections that will open new opportunities and strengthen our communities.

The funding from Bank of Ireland and Community Foundation Ireland underscores a shared commitment to supporting youth-led innovation. Young Social Innovators is recognised as a key organisation empowering young people to develop the skills and confidence to drive meaningful social change in their communities. 

About CatalySE
CatalySE is a dynamic programme designed to support young people from underrepresented communities to explore, develop, and launch social enterprise ideas that tackle key issues such as inequality and climate change. The programme offers mentoring, skill-building workshops, and funding opportunities, helping young people create meaningful impact while gaining future-ready skills.