Social entrepreneurs from Limerick focussing on issues such as anxiety, stress and educational supports are among the 12 finalists announced today (18.06.19) for the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) Awards programme. The prestigious nine-month programme, worth €40,000 to each project, provides vital funding and mentorship opportunities to high-potential social entrepreneurs to enable them to develop highly effective, sustainable, and scalable organisations.
David Neville from Castleconnell, Co Limerick, along with business partner Padraic Hogan, have been announced as finalists for their organisation, jumpAgrade – an equality of education initiative offered online to all second-level student regardless of location, ability or family background that helps them prepare for exams.
Commenting on the announcement, Mr Neville said: “It’s a huge boost for us at jumpAgrade being a finalist on the SEI Awards programme for our efforts to level the playing field in education today.”
Boris Hunka and Caithriona McCarthy from Killaloe, Co Clare have been announced as finalists for their organisation, The Ease Project – a programme that uses music and creativity as preventative tools, to reduce anxiety and debilitating stress.
The 2019 Awards programme attracted 120 applications from all corners of Ireland with 12 making it through to the finalist stage. The finalists pitched their projects today at the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland to a panel of judges drawn from the SEI community. Of the 12, six will go on to win a place on the programme. The Awardees will be announced at SEI’s Awards celebration in October 2019.
