Call for Applications: Impact Programme (Ireland)

The Impact Programme is a nine-month journey designed to help social entrepreneurs strengthen their foundations and identify where they can have their greatest impact.

The Impact Programme supports developing stage social entrepreneurs like you once you have piloted your solution, demonstrated impact, are ready to strengthen your foundations to ensure you thrive and identify your route to scaling (whether that be scaling out, scaling deep or scaling up) so you can have your greatest impact.

The programme provides targeted support and engagement through a series of activities: Discovery Sessions, Co-Design Days, Group Sessions and Individual Supports. These sessions are facilitated by members of their team and wider community including their supporters, fellow support organisations, partners, funders, sector expert consultants and alumni.

Focus Areas

• All activities are aligned with four focus areas:
  • Stronger Organisation: Training, advice and support in areas related to improving an organisation’s structure, operational capacity, solution delivery, financial capacity and impact measurement.
  • Resilient Leaders: Leadership development and growth to strengthen the resilience and adaptability of social entrepreneurs.
  • Impactful Voice: Connecting and communicating with a range of stakeholders.
  • Long-Lasting Social Change: Tackling the problem, not just delivering the solution including networking building and collaborations within the eco-system.

Funding Information

• Each awardee receives €20,000 in unrestricted funding.
  • Funding can be allocated to scaling needs such as team expansion, legal structuring, and strategic marketing.
• Participants access additional supports worth €20,000-€30,000 per organisation, including expert consultancy, leadership development, and bespoke training.

Eligibility Criteria

• You and Your Organisation
  • You are 18 years or over
  • You have identified a social or environmental issue and developed an effective solution to address it
  • The primary activities of your organisation are based in Ireland
  • Your project/organisation is legally incorporated, registered with a recognised legal structure or as a sole trader
  • You are the founder or co-founder of this idea or organisation
  • You have been actively delivering your solution (either as a sole trader or legally incorporated) for 12 months or more
  • You have concrete evidence demonstrating the measurable impact of your organisation on your target beneficiaries/audience
  • Your current time commitment to your project/organisation is either part-time or full-time
  • You are aiming to significantly grow or scale your organisation in the next 3 years

Evaluation Criteria

• Spirit of a Social Entrepreneur
  • Tell your story—what drives you to create social or environmental change? They’re looking for passionate, determined leaders with a clear vision for their solution.
• Solution Fit
  • A strong solution starts with a deep understanding of the problem. They want to see a clear grasp of both the broader issue and the specific challenge you’re addressing, including the affected group(s) and the barriers they face.
• Solution Evolution
  • Tell how your solution has developed over time. They’re particularly interested in how you’ve adapted based on feedback and lessons learned, demonstrating your ability to refine and improve.
• Steps to Growth
  • This section focuses on practical expansion plans. They want to know how you intend to scale, what resources you need, your financial model, and how you’ll ensure long-term sustainability.
• Social Change
  • Describe your vision for lasting change in Ireland if your problem were solved.

For more information, visit Social Entrepreneurs Ireland.