Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, officially launched the New Solutions Social Innovation Hub in Cork on November 3, 2025, marking a major milestone in Ireland’s social innovation landscape. Alongside the launch, the Minister announced funding of over €2.5 million for nine projects through the New Solutions Scaling Up Grants Scheme, part of a broader €5 million investment aimed at strengthening the country’s social innovation ecosystem.
The New Solutions Fund, co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021–2027, focuses on reducing poverty and social exclusion, particularly among disadvantaged groups. It aims to empower innovative initiatives that address key social challenges and deliver long-term, transformative community impact. Minister Buttimer emphasized that the new Hub will serve as a “One Stop Shop” for the social innovation sector, supporting projects from early ideas to full-scale implementation.
The Hub, with an investment of €2.8 million, will be delivered by Rethink Ireland in collaboration with Dublin City University, the Local Development Companies Network, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Commission, and The Wheel. Together, these partners will provide capacity building, mentorship, and funding supports to social innovators across the country. Representing the consortium, Mario Vottero of Rethink Ireland highlighted their shared commitment to combining expertise and vision to create lasting social impact in Irish communities.
As part of the announcement, nine social innovation projects received funding under the New Solutions Scaling Up Scheme, which supports proven initiatives ready to expand and deepen their community impact. Among the successful grantees were Sailing into Wellness, Spraoi agus Sport, and Junior Achievement/Young Enterprise Ireland, each receiving close to €300,000. Minister Buttimer praised these projects for their demonstrated success and potential to strengthen community resilience, adding that the Hub will continue to provide hands-on support to maximize their reach and effectiveness.
The Department of Rural and Community Development, with implementation support from Pobal, played a key role in establishing the new Hub and funding schemes. Pobal CEO Anna Shakespeare welcomed the initiative as a significant step forward for Ireland’s social innovation ecosystem, noting that the collaboration among government, development agencies, and social enterprises will help scale impactful ideas. She emphasized that these new funding opportunities will enable organizations to address pressing social challenges more effectively, sustainably, and inclusively.
