Students from Beech Hill College, Monaghan, and Largy College, Clones, secured a total of €900 in funding to advance their innovative ideas to bring about positive change in their communities.
The teenagers, who are taking part in the 'Young Social Innovators', pitched their ideas to a Dragons' Den Panel including representatives from The Community Foundation for Ireland, Virgin Media and Young Social Innovators for access to a Social Impact Fund dedicated to advancing teenagers' ideas for social good.
The LGBTeens team from Beech Hill College is aiming to make LGBTQ+ youth feel seen and safe by educating people on the LGBTQ+ community and how to be an ally.
They have created a podcast series and have plans to produce a play to raise awareness. With the €400 received from YSI, they are planning to produce a children's book that explores the idea being the perfect ally.
Meanwhile, The team RACE which stands for 'Right Attitude Creates Equality' from Largy College want to tackle racism and inequality to make their community a more inclusive place for all.
With the €500 received, they plan to print a cookbook called A Taste of Humanity, which aims to bring people together through an equal love for food with recipes contributed by members of their school and the wider community.
They also plan to use the funding to create a multi-cultural day for their local primary school to promote diversity through food, games, dance, and music.
