Young Social Entrepreneur contest launched for local schools

A 'Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year' competition for local schools, with a trip to the European Parliament in Brussels as the prize for the overall winner, was launched recently in Athlone.

All secondary schools in the Midlands 'Just Transition' region of Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Roscommon, and East Galway, are being invited to enter the inaugural competition.

Launched recently at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in Athlone, Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 is the brainchild of Social Enterprise Exchange (SEE).

SEE is a local initiative connecting social enterprises across East Galway, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath and Laois.

The launch of the competition was attended by SEE representatives, TUS staff, community leaders, and teachers and students from Our Lady’s Bower, the Marist College, Athlone Community College and Coláiste Chiarain.

SEE is describing the competition as "a ground-breaking initiative aimed at empowering secondary school students to use business acumen to solve pressing social and environmental challenges in their communities."

The competition invites students to explore the concept of social enterprises: businesses that address social or environmental issues while remaining financially viable. Unlike traditional businesses that prioritise maximising profit, social enterprises aim to create a positive societal impact.

SEE believes that fostering a deep understanding of social entrepreneurship will help students become active problem-solvers and leaders in their communities.

The competition will allow students to integrate essential business skills into real-world scenarios, empowering them to create social enterprises that can make a meaningful difference.

Through a series of structured steps, students will research, plan, and develop their own business proposals.

The upcoming project is designed for Transition Year (TY) students and can be completed either individually or in teams of up to four students. Schools will receive packs that include guidance for teachers, inspirational materials for students, a submission form, and a marking scheme.

A panel of judges from both the private and public sectors will adjudicate on the entries.

To participate in Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2025, schools must express their interest by September 19, 2025, with the final submission deadline set for November 14.

The winners will be announced on November, 25 with the successful team from each county invited to Leinster House to present their project to local politicians.

The overall winner will have the opportunity to visit the European Parliament in Brussels, courtesy of Midlands Northwest MEP, Maria Walsh.

Opening the recent launch event of the competition in the TUS library, Gabrielle McFadden, SEE Project Manager, addressed the enthusiastic group of students, teachers, and community leaders.

"It was amazing to see the energy and creativity in the room," she said. "As we kicked off the Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 competition, I reminded the students that the only limit to their ideas is their imagination. The potential for innovation within this group of young people is truly inspiring."

The event’s keynote speaker, MEP Maria Walsh, spoke to the students about the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change.

The event was hosted at TUS in Athlone, with its president, Professor Vincent Cunnane stating that the technological university was "delighted to facilitate Social Enterprise Exchange to launch this exciting initiative".

More information about the Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 competition is available from info@socialenterpriseexchange.ie or 087 2636728.