Enactus has today announced a new partnership with Citi Ireland worth over €85,000, as part of the Foundation’s global initiative - Pathways to Progress. The partnership will provide students with the resources to empower people between the ages of 16 - 24 from disadvantaged urban areas around Ireland, through a new social entrepreneurship development programme.
 
Enactus students will develop an idea and apply to take part in the programme. Once accepted, students will be challenged at a two-day project development event in Citi in November.  Throughout the year they will develop and refine their ideas, before presenting final projects to a panel of Citi judges and invited Enactus guests at a showcase event in April.
 
Successful projects will receive seed funding, intensive training, mentoring, and guidance from Citi volunteers and Enactus Ireland staff. The champions will receive further funding and support to successfully scale their project, maximising the positive impact in disadvantaged urban communities. 
 
Projects entering into this programme must adhere to the Enactus criteria of empowering people to improve their livelihoods in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable way, pivoted towards working with young people (aged 16 - 24 years). Projects are also eligible to be presented at the annual Enactus Ireland National Competition. 
 
Speaking today, Chairperson of Enactus Ireland, Terence O’Rourke said, "Every year, each student team involved shows tremendous understanding of how their entrepreneurial skills and talents can be used to bring about real change in their communities. We are very excited to partner with Citi to see this impact grow and scale."

Citi’s Chief Administrative Officer for Europe and Senior Sponsor of the programme, Cecilia Ronan added, "It’s vital that businesses in Ireland continue to collaborate with organisations like Enactus to drive social change. We are looking forward to working with the students to support the development of skills to think innovatively and address the pertinent business challenges facing Ireland today."

Source: www.businessworld.ie