Enactus National Competition 2019 launch – Students aim to shape Ireland’s future

A selection of Ireland’s most promising young social entrepreneurs joined Bank of Ireland ambassador and Leinster Rugby star, Sene Naoupu to officially launch the 2019 Enactus Ireland National Competition.

Enactus, a global social entrepreneurship movement, partners students, academics and business leaders to develop socially responsible business models with the potential to benefit people in need. As part of the competition, students from Irish colleges and universities have identified key social issues and developed projects which are creating positive social impact to create a brighter future.

This year, students have targeted some of the country’s largest social issues, including education, autism awareness and refugee welfare. Projects include:

– 2030 Leaders (Enactus TCD) empowers disadvantaged young people by educating them on the UN Sustainable Development Goals – knowledge that they then use to create fun and engaging workshops with primary school children.

– Understanding Le Chéile (Enactus NUI Galway) seeks to raise awareness of autism through interactive workshops in schools and businesses around Ireland.

– ReStart’s (Enactus UL) aim is to Integrate refugees and asylum seekers into Irish society by providing them with culinary skills to start their own business.

The National Competition will see teams from ten universities and colleges across Ireland:

• Cork Institute of Technology

• Dublin City University

• Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design & Technology

• Maynooth University

• National University of Ireland, Galway

• Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

• Technological University Dublin

• University College Cork

• University College Dublin

• University College Limerick

Enactus World Cup

These ten institutions will compete for the opportunity to represent Enactus Ireland at this year’s Enactus World Cup, taking place in Silicon Valley.

Since September, each team of students has gotten access to senior mentorship from a range of Enactus partners such as KPMG, Bank of Ireland, Aer Lingus, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Unilever.

At the launch, Sene Naoupu said:

“I’m honoured to be the keynote speaker at this year’s National Competition and can’t wait to meet the inspiring minds behind these forward-thinking projects. I’m confident their outputs will have a massive impact on communities across Ireland and wish them the very best of luck as they prepare to present their results on May 30th.”

Speaking on the launch collaboration, Enactus Ireland Country Manager, Liam Redmond said;

“We’re excited and honoured to partner with Sene Naoupu for the 2019 launch of the Enactus Ireland National Competition. From representing Ireland on a winning Six Nations team to her tireless work promoting female leadership in sport, Sene embodies the aspirational social drive that Enactus fosters. I have no doubt that this year’s crop of Enactus students will follow in Sene’s steps and become the leaders of tomorrow.”

Gemma Bell, Sponsorship Manager with Bank of Ireland said:

“As Ireland’s leading bank for students, we are proud to once again partner with Enactus. To see Irish youth drive change is truly encouraging and we’re honoured for the opportunity to work with the students to develop socially responsible business models that will change the face of the country.”

The Enactus Competition Final will take on May 30th in the Chartered Accountants Ireland.