Social Entrepreneurs Ireland opens 2026 programmes for applications from Mayo
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has opened its Ideas Academy and Impact Programme for applications from Mayo. Since 2004, the not-for-profit organisation has supported over 660 social entrepreneurs across the country who are driving solutions in areas such as mental health, housing, the environment and education.
Ciara Mangan who is from Mayo, is the current Impact Programme awardee, and is the Founder and Managing Director of ‘Beyond Surviving’, Ireland’s first survivor-led charity dedicated to connecting victim-survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, and supporting their healing, wellbeing, and personal growth journeys.
Ciara founded Beyond Surviving in 2023 following the sentencing of her attacker. As she began rebuilding her life after a seven-year fight for justice, she identified a significant gap in Ireland’s post-crisis DSGBV (domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence) recovery infrastructure, specifically, the lack of ongoing, community-based support and a continuum of care for survivors beyond frontline-crisis services such as Rape Crisis Centres.
‘Beyond Surviving’ was established to bridge that gap in services. The organisation provides safe spaces where survivors can connect, heal in solidarity, and engage in their own self-advocacy. Since its founding, ‘Beyond Surviving’ has achieved the following: its advocates presented at the United Nations in June 2025, the organisation earned a place on the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Impact Programme, and it was recently nominated for the National Social Enterprise Awards 2025 under the category of ‘Start-Up Social Enterprise.’
Speaking at the launch of this year’s programme, which remains open until April 20, Director of Development at Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Michelle Noone said:
“We know the impact that our programmes have on people and communities across the country and in 2025, an independently verified report demonstrated how Social Entrepreneurs Ireland contributes to the success and growth of social enterprises across Ireland, with employment, sales, and future funding increased by up to 50 per cent and innovation boosted by up to 80 per cent.
“There is a wealth of incredible ideas in Mayo, and we encourage budding social entrepreneurs and those with more established solutions to social issues to apply for our Ideas Academy and Social Impact programmes, to bring their concepts to the next level.”
The Ideas Academy is a three-month programme designed to provide budding social entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to move from a concept to a tangible pilot.
The Impact Programme is a nine-month programme that supports experienced social entrepreneurs to scale up tried-and-tested solutions to tackle Ireland’s biggest social challenges. Programme participants receive mentorship and peer support.
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has partnered with energy company DCC plc since 2011. Since the partnership began Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has received over 3,500 applications from all across Ireland.
Donal Murphy, Chief Executive Officer at DCC plc, said:
“DCC plc is proud to support Social Entrepreneurs Ireland again in 2026. Over 660 social entrepreneurs have been directly supported over the duration of the partnership. In addition, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland alumni have created 463 jobs and generated €39.8m in income, so we know that this partnership works.
“We look forward to helping this year’s successful applicants to develop and refine their ideas to affect positive change across Irish society.”
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland will hold information sessions for interested individuals and organisations on March 31. You can register and apply for the Ideas Academy and The Impact Programme here.