Media Release
Monday, 3rd November 2025
Minister Buttimer launches the New Solutions Social Innovation Hub and announces funding for Scaling Up Initiatives
- Minister launches the New Solutions Social Innovation Hub in Cork
- Funding of over €2.5 million also announced for social innovation initiatives
- Total funding of over €5 million allocated to support and grow the social innovation ecosystem in Ireland
Today (Monday 3rd November 2025) Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, launched the New Solutions Social Innovation Hub at an event in Cork. The Minister also announced funding for nine social innovations projects from the New Solutions Scaling Up Grants Scheme.
The overall objective of New Solutions Fund is to enhance the social innovation ecosystem in Ireland and is co-funded through the European Social Fund + 2021-2027 (ESF+), a European initiative aimed at reducing the risk of poverty and social exclusion, with an emphasis on disadvantaged groups.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Buttimer said:
“The launch of the New Solutions Social Innovation Hub is an exciting step forward in how we support social innovation in Ireland. The Hub will act as a One Stop Shop for the sector and support innovative initiatives that can address social challenges and deliver transformative change for communities.”
The New Solutions Social Innovation Hub will play a key role in developing the social innovation ecosystem in Ireland. The Hub will provide capacity building supports and grant funding to social innovation projects at all stages – from ideas to pilot scaling up.
Funding of €2.8 million has been allocated to the Hub which will be delivered by Rethink Ireland in partnership with Dublin City University, the Local Development Companies Network, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Commission and the Wheel.
Speaking at the event on behalf of the Social Innovation hub, Mario Vottero (Rethink Ireland) said:
“As a consortium, we are proud to combine our collective expertise and shared vision through New Solutions, working together to strengthen the social innovation ecosystem and create lasting social impact across communities across Ireland”.
The Minister also announced funding of over €2.5 million for nine social innovation projects from the New Solutions Scaling Up Scheme. The New Solutions Scaling Up Scheme provides funding to proven social innovation projects that are ready to grow and achieve greater impact. The successful grantees include:
- Sailing into Wellness, allocated funding of €295,734.
- Spraoi agus Sport, allocated funding of €300,000.
- Junior Achievement/Young Enterprise Ireland allocated funding of €299,396.
The New Solutions Innovation Hub will work closely with the projects to provide capacity building and support.
Announcing the successful projects, Minister Buttimer said:
“I am delighted to announce funding of over €2.5 million for nine social innovation projects from the New Solutions Scaling Up Grant Scheme. Social Innovation has the power to transform communities, supporting them in becoming stronger and more resilient.
“The successful projects announced today have already proven that they work and are ready to grow. The projects will be supported at every step by the Social Innovation Hub to maximise their impact.”
The Department was supported by Pobal in the implementation of the New Solutions Social Innovation Fund.
Pobal CEO, Anna Shakespeare said:
“Today is a significant moment for the social innovation ecosystem in Ireland. Pobal are proud to have had the opportunity to work alongside the Department of Rural and Community Development and Gaeltacht to support the establishment and development of the new Social Innovation Hub, we look forward to working collaboratively with ReThink and their consortium members as they take on their new role which will foster partnerships, share knowledge and will create impactful social innovation initiatives into the future.
“Similarly, Pobal acknowledges the successful grantees awarded funding under the Social Innovation Fund – Scaling Up Grants and the exciting opportunity to empower these organisations to scale their innovative solutions, enabling them to address social challenges more effectively and sustainably.”
A full list of successful projects is available here.