Awards FAQ
When was SEI set up? >>
How is SEI funded? >>
Why do you make awards to individuals not organisations? >>
What sectors or areas do you support? >>
How can the Award be spent? >>
My idea is for a for-profit organisation, am I eligible to apply? >>
I completed the Eligibility Questionnaire but have been told that my project
is not suitable – why? >>
I didn’t get an Award last year, can I re-apply? >>
Do I need to have received a Level 1 Award in order to apply for Level 2? >>
My idea is for a project outside Ireland, am I eligible? >>
My project has activities both in Ireland and abroad, am I eligible? >>
When was SEI set up?
SEI was launched in early 2005.
How is SEI funded?
SEI’s is funded by both private foundations and individuals. For more information, please visit our Partners page >>
Why do you make awards to individuals not organisations?
At SEI our focus is on supporting and developing the social entrepreneur in order that they are better able to build and grow their organisations. That is why we target individuals for our Awards Programme.
What sectors or areas do you support?
We support projects in a wide range of areas including education and learning, children and young people, older people, mental health, people with disabilities, the environment, community development and new communities. This is not an exhaustive list and we are open to supporting projects in other areas where the potential for social impact can be demonstrated.
How can the Award be spent?
Using very broad constraints we consider the Awardee to be the person best suited to decide how their project can benefit from the financial support SEI gives (for example we will not fund illegal activities). The Award may be used to fund a pilot project in the case of a Level 1 Award or the salary of the social entrepreneur or a specific initiative in the case of a Level 2 Awardee. Personal expenses incurred while working on the project may also be covered by the Award.
My idea is for a for-profit organisation, am I eligible to apply?
Yes. We support both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations/models. Once you can demonstrate that you are fulfilling a your primary focus is to fulfil a social need or that you are generating to generate social capital, you are eligible to apply.
I completed the Eligibility Questionnaire but have been told that my project is not suitable – why?
The Awards Programme is specifically targeted at early stage, social entrepreneur-led projects and The Eligibility Questionnaire aims to ensure that applicants meet some basic requirements of the Awards Programme. They are deliberately brief but not a fully comprehensive guide. If you have a question on eligibility please email applications@socialentrepreneurs.ie .
I didn’t get an Award last year, can I re-apply?
Each year we receive a greater number of applications and those applications are of an increasingly high standard. We would only recommend reapplying if your project or idea has seen significant progress made over the course of the past year.
Do I need to have received a Level 1 Award in order to apply for Level 2?
No. Some previous Level 1 Awardees have received Level 2 Awards but it is not a pre-requisite.
My idea is for a project outside Ireland, am I eligible?
If your project activities take place outside Ireland only and the communities benefiting from your activities are outside Ireland then you are not eligible to apply.
My project has activities both in Ireland and abroad, am I eligible?
If a significant proportion of the work you do takes place in Ireland and if you can clearly demonstrate the social benefit or the potential for social benefit which these activities bring to the communities you work with, then you may be eligible to apply.
