Social Innovation Fund Ireland has opened entries for ThinkTech, a €1 million challenge looking for new ideas to improve society through the use of technology.
Supported by Google.org and the Dept of Environment, Community & Local Government, successful participants will have access to an award fund of up to €750,000, which consists of €600,000 in grants and up to €150,000 worth of support and mentoring. They will also enter a five-month Social Innovation Fund Ireland programme delivered in conjunction with Google.org.
Social enterprises, charities, and other not-for-profits are eligible for participation. Applicants should be able to demonstrate how they will use both technology to make Ireland better and help solve critical social issues in an innovative way. Proposals should have already demonstrated progress towards measurable social impact; have the ability to scale across Ireland and could use a wide range of technology solutions including hardware, software, an online platform or an app.
“[ThinkTech] shines a light on the potential for social enterprises to use technology to solve critical social issues and create a better Ireland,” said Social Innovation Fund Ireland CEO Deirdre Mortell. “Since Social Innovation Fund Ireland’s launch in January this year, the organisation has grown from strength-to-strength, and through this collaboration with Google.org & the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government, we have been able to provide a €1 million fund and a unique platform to promote social innovations. This project also highlights the benefits of private and public sector organisations working together to make a better Ireland.”
Jacquelline Fuller, director of Google.org, said: “Google.org knows that technology has the power to transform people’s lives for the better, and we have seen world wide the fantastic impact social enterprises, charities and non-profits can have developing and implementing innovative solutions to some of society’s biggest issues.”
The closing date for applications is 31 July. For more information visit www.socialinnovation.ie.
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