Anti-water charge protests, domestic violence and youth suicide were some of the life experiences that inspired teenage social innovators to take action to help others.
More than 200 people gathered at the chq building in Dublin on Wednesday for an energetic discussion on the future of young social innovation and its role in Irish society.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny told group of young people from across Ireland they were "courageous and fearless" in their innovations.
The event, which was held to mark the new partnership between Young Social Innovators (YSI) and Ulster Bank, who will give financial support to participants.
A total of 444 innovation projects had been entered into this year’s award, a record breaking number.
Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, who co-founded YSI in 2001, said it was important the focus was not just innovation alone, but social innovation.
“We have seen all too often in Ireland and elsewhere innovations which benefit a few but are harmful or are out of reach, to many.”
She called on companies not to forget their social responsibilities as their energies are focused on economic growth.
Jack Dooley said entering the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards two years ago when he was 16 had changed his life.
He was one of 10 students from Tullamore College in Co Offaly who created a project called Greener Globe to help save water.
The team were inspired by the debate and protests about water charges being introduced at the time.
After the group carried out a survey that showed the average show time was 13 minutes, they created a novel way to remind people to conserve water.
Business owner
The LED shower head they created shines a green light for the first five minutes when turned on, then changes to orange for two minutes – a warning that time is running out and then to red once over the recommended time of seven minutes for a shower.
Following several awards and interest from the public, the 18-year-old now runs a business with school pal Cian Fogarty, while preparing to sit the Leaving Certificate this year.
“It’s hard but I love doing it. I’ve no spare time during the day but that’s how I like it. It’s given me a lot of confidence,” he said.
Fellow innovator also from Co Offaly Kirsty Real said she had grown up in a home with domestic violence and wanted to get rid of the stigma that surrounded the issue and its victims.
She started her project “Behind Closed Doors” as part of the YSI programme after discovering statistics revealing how widespread domestic violence was in Ireland.
Real set about raising awareness by giving presentations to different organisations and also designed leaflets and posters.
Teenager Aaron Brazil from Clondalkin, who also spoke at the event, said he decided to create a project after the death of a classmate by suicide.
His project created awareness on mental health, suicide and drugs and encouraged people to speak about issues they faced.
YSI is accessed by 10 per cent of the students in the Republic and is growing its interests in Northern Ireland, Canada and Zambia.
