Hidden Social Entrepreneurs in Cavan: Could This Be You?
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
At Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI), we believe that the people closest to the challenges in our communities are often the ones with the most powerful ideas to solve them.
Across Cavan, individuals and small community groups are already creating social change — supporting others, strengthening inclusion, addressing inequality, and finding new ways to respond to local needs. Many of these changemakers don’t see themselves as “social entrepreneurs”, but that’s exactly what they are.
To help these local ideas grow, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s National Call for Applications 2026 is now open, and we want to make sure the most impactful ideas in the Cavan County Local Development area don’t go unseen.
Applications are open from 23rd March to 20th April 2026.
What Is a Social Entrepreneur?
A social entrepreneur is someone who identifies a social issue and takes practical, innovative action to address it. They might be:
Running a small community project
Supporting people who face barriers to inclusion
Creating local employment or training opportunities
Improving wellbeing, sustainability, or social connection
Testing new ways of delivering services in their community
If this sounds like you — or someone you know — SEI’s programmes could offer the next step.
How SEI Can Support Local Ideas in Cavan
SEI offers tailored support depending on how developed an idea or project is. This year’s National Call includes two key programmes:
The Ideas Academy
The Ideas Academy is designed for individuals who have a spark of a social idea, but need support to:
Research the problem in more depth
Test whether the idea is viable
Develop a clear pilot or proof of concept
Build confidence, skills, and a peer network
Participants take part in a structured learning journey that helps them move from idea to action — without needing everything worked out from the start.
Ideal for: Early‑stage ideas, first‑time founders, and people exploring a social issue they care deeply about.
The Impact Programme
The Impact Programme supports more established social projects that are ready to grow and increase their reach.
Successful applicants receive:
Core funding
One‑to‑one professional mentorship
Leadership and organisational development support
Access to a national peer network of social entrepreneurs
The focus is on building long‑term sustainability so successful local initiatives can continue to thrive and scale their impact.
Ideal for: Community projects or social enterprises that are already operating and ready for their next phase.
Why This Matters for Cavan
Local Development Companies are at the frontline of social change — and many people supported through Cavan County Local Development are already doing entrepreneurial work in their communities.
By connecting these “hidden” social entrepreneurs to SEI’s programmes, we can:
Strengthen local initiatives
Keep leadership rooted in the community
Ensure local solutions receive national‑level support
Previous participants, such as Tammy and Kim, have gone on to grow impactful initiatives while staying deeply connected to the communities they serve.
Help Us Spread the Word
To make sharing easy, SEI has created a Partner Social Media & Communications Toolkit, including ready‑to‑use posts, graphics, and real stories from past participants.
Access the toolkit here:👉 https://trello.com/b/IAdZjoTN
We’d be incredibly grateful if you could:
Include a mention of the National Call for Applications 2026 in your next community newsletter, or
Share a post on your social media channels encouraging people to apply
Know Someone Who Should Apply?
Applications are open now and close on 20th April 2026.
Whether it’s a community worker, volunteer, founder, or someone just starting out with an idea — this opportunity could help turn local passion into lasting social impact.
Together, we can ensure that the strongest ideas in the Cavan County Local Development area get the support they deserve.
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland
📞 Tel: 01 685 3191
📧 Email: applications@socialentrepreneurs.ie