Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Page 115 Page 116 Page 117 Page 118 Page 119 Page 120connect 2016 | 35 First Four Award-winning social innovations An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD announced the first four Award winners, a diverse group that represent the range and quality of innovative solutions to critical social issues that can be found in Ireland. They are: • Recreate – Creativity through re-use at its Warehouse of Wonders. They are also an Ireland Funds’ grantee • Thriftify – A Tech start-up with a difference and a semi-finalist in the 2016 Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition • Carebright – Creating positive living with dementia in rural Ireland • Save a Selfie – A ground breaking lifesaving app Each award winner, which are all at early stages, secured a grant of up to €10,000 plus the equivalent in non-financial supports, and entered Ireland’s first Non Profit Accelerator program for 4 months from January to April 2016. The program aimed to achieve 3 things – exit with a clear plan and priorities, with greater access to funds, and with greater access to networks. The program closed with a Showcase event, hosted jointly by SIFI and Philanthropy Ireland, to an invited audience on 18th May 2016 in Dublin, which was also livestreamed internationally. Awardees each did a 5 minute pitch outlining their project, and what it needs to get to the next stage. Guests were invited to pledge funds, meetings or pro bono services to back the projects as they exit the program. Demonstrating a new approach to corporate philanthropy in Ireland through THINKTECH, ideas for a better Ireland Launched in June 2016, THINKTECH is a €1 million fund to support and grow ideas for a better Ireland, seeking proposals that impact lives and touch hearts. Created by Social Innovation Fund Ireland with €500,000 grant support from Google.org, matched by the Irish Government, THINKTECH challenge identifies ideas developed by social enterprises and non-profits that use technology and innovation to create opportunities for everyone in Ireland. Successful THINKTECH participants enter a five month program with Social Innovation Fund Ireland with support from Google.org and will receivebothfinancialandnon-financialsupporttomaketheirvisionareality. The winning 3 or 4 projects will win up to €200,000 in grants support and mentoringaswellasapackageofGooglesupports.Winnerswillbeannounced in winter 2016. Social Innovation Fund Ireland included in Program for Government Just as the first SIFI program was concluding, the program for Government2016,waspublishedinMay2016,naming SocialInnovationFund Ireland for scale up from a challenge fund of up to €5 million to up to €50 million during the lifetime of the Government, providing top level endorsement for this innovative approach. We look forward to supporting innovative solutions to critical social issues in Ireland to grow & spread, using world class standards of innovation & support, and bringing together philanthropy, Government, and innovation to give Ireland the world’s best ecosystem for supporting social innovation.