Vodafone Ireland unveiled a new partnership with Young Social Innovators (YSI), investing €400,000 in the first year of a three-year commitment to expand the YSI Social Innovation Programme.
The Programme aims to foster the creativity and innovation of young people between the ages of 16-24 and is currently implemented in more than 200 secondary schools across Ireland. Young people work in teams of 5-25 to identify a social issue of concern to them and come up with real actions to tackle the issue.
Vodafone Ireland Foundation will lead the three-year commitment. In addition to funding, the initiative will involve the use of Vodafone’s 35 retail stores, more than 1,100 employees, its technology, brand power and expertise. The aim of this partnership is to double the number of participating secondary schools, ultimately engaging 10,000 students.
“These young people are being disproportionately affected by the recession; the effects of which are contributing to growing health and social problems and a growing feeling of disillusion. We believe social innovation led by empowered young people can help lead Ireland out of crisis and that Young Social Innovators, with the right support, can build the framework to make this a reality,” said Paul Ryan, External Affairs Director and Chairman of the Vodafone Ireland Foundation.