YSI Blog

YSI Blog
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YSI Elevate Networking Day 2021 Inspires

The YSI Elevate Networking Day brought together four high impact award-winning teams with mentors from The Community Foundation for Ireland, Deloitte, Virgin Media, the Rape Crisis Centre, and Cork City Partnership among others to share their experience, expertise and insights to help advance the initatives created by young people.


The YSI Elevate Networking Days brings together professionals from a range of backgrounds to support young people's ambitions to increase their impact.

YSI Elevate is an accelerator initiative for teams that have demonstrated significant impact through their YSI projects and who may want to continue to advance their plans with tailored support.

The teams are first asked to identify the supports they think would be of benefit to them as they strive to develop and implement their ideas. YSI then brings together specialists in the commonly identified areas to offer support and advice and, in some cases, tailored mentoring where required. The YSI Elevate Networking Day 2021 took place on 9th November.

Red Flags


Red Flags, Mercy Secondary School, Mounthawk, Tralee, Co. Kerry Winners of the Young Social Innovators of the Year 2021

Gold winners of the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards 2021 “Red Flags”, from Mercy Secondary School, Tralee were among one of four teams to participate in the YSI Elevate Networking Day. The aim of the ‘Red Flags’ project is to educate young people on the signs and indicators of toxic relationships and to encourage young people to openly discuss relationships in a safe environment. The team asked Elevate mentors for support to enhance their community outreach, help with creating an advert and support in the development of their SPHE pack. Read more about the team here.

Tasc Na Masc


Tasc Na Masc, Coláiste Oiriall, Muineachán, Co. Mhuineacháin, Winners of the Innovative Response to Covid-19 Award 2021 

“Tasc Na Masc”, winner of the YSI Innovative Response to COVID19 Award 2021, are working to reduce the pollution caused by the disposal of single use masks. Their innovative solution was a prototype bin fitted with concealed blades to cut the ear loops before disposing correctly of single use masks. With help from the YSI Den Fund, they manufactured their prototype bin which will be donated to Temple Street Children’s Hospital. The team are now planning to put their bin design into production to supply more hospitals with this innovative solution. They were seeking contacts and business advice from the Elevate Mentors. Read more about the team here.

RACE: Right Attitude Equals Equality


RACE: Right Attitude Creates Equality, Largy College, Clones, Co. Monaghan, Winner of YSI Make Our World Fair and Just Award 2021

‘RACE - Right Attitude Creates Equality’, who won the YSI Make Our World Fair & Just Challenge Award in 2021 are aiming to combat racism and promote inclusion through their YSI project. The students are planning to publish a recipe book  ‘A Taste of Humanity’, with recipes and stories from a diverse range of people in their community and beyond - bringing people together through a love of food. They were seeking support and advice around the publishing process from the Elevate Mentors. Read more about the team here.

Road Safety in Carrignavar


Road Safety in Carrignavar, Coláiste An Chroí Naofa, Carrignavar, Co. Cork, Winner of the Make Our World Safer Award 2021

'Road Safety in Carrignavar' were the winners of the Make Our World Safer Challenge in 2021 for their efforts to have a new pedestrian crossing installed in their community to improve the safety of primary and secondary school students in their village. The team successfully worked with road engineers and Cork County Council to highlight their safety concerns and secure funding and a commitment to have the crossing realised. The team asked Elevate mentors for help with PR and connnections so they can bring their project to a national level. Read more about the team here.

We would like to thank all of our wonderful panel of experts for providing their advice and support to YSI Elevate Teams. Their input was invaluable and we cannot wait to see the team projects develop and continue creating positive impact.