About
Young Social Innovators (YSI) is a non-profit organisation that empowers young people to use their talents, insights, passion and creativity to come up with innovative solutions to social challenges.
Almost 200,000 young people across Ireland have been empowered by Young Social Innovators over the past 25 years. YSI’s fun and engaging programmes inspire young people to design and deliver team-based action projects on issues they care about, bringing innovative ideas to life and creating positive change for people, communities, and the environment.
Through engagement in YSI and, through our research and advocacy, young people are given a voice and agency on the issues that matter to them.
Challenge Area Activities
Community Involvement:
Complete the Activate or Ignite programmes, focusing on local, national and global issues.
Programme Breakdown
Activate:
Teenagers in Transition Year, Youthreach Centres or youth organisations can participate in the programme. In this action-packed module, students form teams, dive into issues they care about and turn passion into impact. They explore the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and take creative, collaborative action on the social issue they are passionate about. Activate empowers students to create change in their schools, communities and beyond.
Overview:
Duration: September to May
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week
Format: Youth-led, team-based, action-oriented
Group Size: 5-25 students per team
Experience: Fun, flexible, and purpose-driven
Setting: Primarily delivered within Transition Year classrooms and Youthreach centres
Support: Resources, training, and ongoing guidance provided
Outcome: Young people work in teams on a social innovation project from September to May, showcasing their work at the Speak Out Tour, with shortlisted projects progressing to compete for National YSI Awards
Cost: €15 per student
Ignite Community:
Ignite Community is a new flexible programme created specifically for young people in non-formal education. This flexible and creative programme empowers participants to identify local issues that matter to them and take meaningful action.
Through inclusive and empowering activities, young people are encouraged to explore their role in the community and recognise their ability to make a difference. By using their voices and working together, they gain the confidence and skills to take meaningful action on issues they care about.
Programme Snapshot:
Duration: 20 hours (flexible delivery)
Time Commitment: Adapted to group needs and schedule
Format: Youth-led, team-based, action-focused
Group Size: Flexible (depending on setting)
Experience: Inclusive, engaging, and purpose-driven
Setting: Non-formal education (Youthreach, youth services, community programmes)
Support:Resources, training, and ongoing guidance provided)
Outcome: Opportunity to showcase work at a Local Community Showcase
Cost: Free in non-formal education settings
Teenagers in Transition Year, Youthreach Centres or youth organisations can participate in the programme. In this action-packed module, students form teams, dive into issues they care about and turn passion into impact. They explore the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and take creative, collaborative action on the social issue they are passionate about. Activate empowers students to create change in their schools, communities and beyond.
Overview:
Ignite Community:
Ignite Community is a new flexible programme created specifically for young people in non-formal education. This flexible and creative programme empowers participants to identify local issues that matter to them and take meaningful action.
Through inclusive and empowering activities, young people are encouraged to explore their role in the community and recognise their ability to make a difference. By using their voices and working together, they gain the confidence and skills to take meaningful action on issues they care about.
Programme Snapshot:
