Research & Innovation

Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) has made a €220,000 fund available for innovative early stage projects that addresses health or social issues in Ireland. ‘Animate 2017’ will share the fund between 11 successful applicants who should submit their concepts before the July 7 deadline.

Now in its second year, Animate has expanded to include the Healthy Community Awards. The initiative is a commitment between SIFI, the Irish government and Medtronic. “Animate provides funding to projects that recognise social issues in their own communities and have a creative or innovative solution to address them. Last year we received outstanding applications from a range of organisations,” said Deirdre Mortell, CEO of SIFI.

“Save a Selfie for example, is an interactive mobile app that allows members of the public to take selfies alongside emergency equipment to document its location, while CareBright village is Ireland’s first dementia friendly housing in a rural setting.”

Alma Curran, Ireland Philanthropy Lead at Medtronic said the fund encourages applicants to consider how their projects align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, Good Health and Wellbeing, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all, at all ages.

“We hope to profile innovative Irish projects that aim to solve complex health access issues and emphasise Ireland’s leadership in tackling the SDGs.”

Eleven awardees will receive a cash award as well as non-financial supports such as access to expert mentoring and assistance with growth planning from a business consultant. They will also have access to SIFI’s extensive networks for on-going support and advice. Applications to the Fund are encouraged from non-profit social organisations including charities, community groups and social enterprises. Applicants can apply online for funding before the Friday 7th July 2017 deadline through Social Innovation Fund Ireland’s website.