TWENTY teams of social innovators and entrepreneurs from around Ireland were shortlisted to pitch to two panels of YSI dragons in Dublin and Cork last week as part of their participation in the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards supported by Ulster Bank.
Over 6,500 students are taking part this year, working in teams to tackle social issues affecting them and their communities.
In Dublin, 10 project teams, including some from the Northside, took part in a Dragons’ Den-style pitch to a YSI panel for a share of the €15k social innovation fund.
The fund was created to assist teams to implement their innovative ideas to bring about positive change and increase the impact of their project work.
The teams pitching this year addressed a range of social issues including mental health, nutrition, homophobia, road safety and addiction. A total of 450 projects will be speaking out around the country at regional events throughout March and April as part of the YSI Speak Out Tour 2016.
Sixty teams will be shortlisted to compete for the Young Social Innovators of the Year title on May 10.
