Research and Evaluation of Social Innovation Fund (Children, Youth)

Tender description

Children and Youth Funds Call for research Introduction The Social Innovation Fund Ireland is the venture capital fund of the social innovation sector. Our purpose is to find and back innovative solutions to address critical social issues in Ireland. Created by Government in 2014, every euro donated in private philanthropy is matched by a euro from the Department of Rural and Community Development or the Department of Children and Youth Affairs from the Dormant Accounts Fund. Purpose of the Evaluation We want to contribute to smart public policy and inspired public leadership by evaluating the projects that we support, building their capacity to lead and by developing communities of practice to advocate for social change where it is needed. We want to: Collect data over a significant period of time (2018-2023) so that we can demonstrate impact in Education and Mental Health for Children and Youth Build capacity of projects to establish their own relevant metrics for measurement. Connect our findings to policy outcomes established in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Dept of Health and the Department of Education and Skills. Identify potential for coalitions across the different funded projects that can work towards avenues for advocacy Description of the Children and Youth Funds The Children and Youth Funds were created by Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) in partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development and in partnership with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. It provides capacity-building Gamechanger Programme alongside Cash Grants. The Department provides match funding for all philanthropic funds raised by Social Innovation Fund Ireland, via the Dormant Accounts Fund. With the 11 awardee projects on the Children and Youth Education Fund, we are aiming to improve access to higher and further education for students (including the full primary school cycle and up to the age of 25) who are affected who are affected by