The New Solutions Social Innovation Lab is a new initiative designed to support people to develop innovative and practical solutions to challenges that impact them, their communities, or society more broadly. It is aimed at people who are relatively new to social innovation or social enterprise, and no previous experience is required. Instead, the programme is open to anyone who is motivated to make their community a fairer, more inclusive placed to live and work.

The Lab will comprise 8 workshops, delivered in blended format (primarily online) beginning in October. Participants will be supported to develop a deeper understanding of the issues they are seeking to address and will be guided through a process of designing practical, community based solutions.

Participation is free and participants will receive a small bursary to support attendance at the in-person sessions. In addition, seed grants of €5,000 will be awarded to up to five participants to help develop their ideas beyond the Lab.

Further information, including details of how to apply, is available at https://www.new-solutions.ie/social-innovation-lab.

On a separate note, some of your members may also be interested in applying for the National Social Enterprise Awards. I have attached an information flyer and full details are available from the website Awards – LDCN