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Accelerator Programme (Pilot)

The Accelerator Programme is a six-month pilot initiative designed to help social innovators strengthen, refine, and scale their impact. Through a blend of expert facilitation, peer learning, hands-on tools, and access to European-level networks, participants will co-create the foundations of a new model for supporting social innovation across Europe.

The Accelerator Programme is a six-month pilot initiative designed to help social innovators strengthen, refine, and scale their impact. Through a blend of expert facilitation, peer learning, hands-on tools, and access to European-level networks, participants will co-create the foundations of a new model for supporting social innovation across Europe.

As this is a pilot, participants will play an active role in shaping the future of the programme—your experience and insights will directly influence what comes next.

Who Is It For?

The Accelerator is designed for mid-cycle or scaling social innovations and early-stage social enterprises that are ready to take the next step in their organisational development.

Ideal participants are:

  • Working on a social innovation or enterprise with growth potential
  • Interested in European collaboration and co-creation
  • Open to peer learning and reflective practice

Up to 30 participants from across the EU will be selected. The programme includes two in-person days in Ireland, which are optional for participants outside Ireland.

Why Join?

Participants in the pilot will benefit from:

  • Guided facilitation from experienced social innovation practitioners
  • Peer support and a European learning community
  • Tailored feedback on their social innovation challenges
  • Networking opportunities with experts and fellow innovators
  • Mentorship to strengthen organisational and strategic development
  • Insight into co-creating a European innovation programme

All participants will receive a Participation Certificate and/or a LinkedIn digital badge via learning platform.

What’s Included

The Accelerator provides a structured, yet flexible learning experience built around:

Programme Structure

  • 4 thematic modules
  • 6 months of learning and development
  • Approximately 4 hours per week
  • Hybrid delivery (online via learning platform Howspace + two in-person days)
  • Group sessions and 1:1 support

Pedagogical Approach

Participants will engage through:

  • Interactive and problem-solving sessions
  • Experiential and applied learning
  • Site visits
  • Collaborative activities and peer feedback
  • Ongoing evaluation and reflection

Programme modules

  • Module 1: Foundations of Social Innovation Digital, Green & Just Transitions
  • Module 2: Stakeholder Engagement & Co-Creation Designing Social Innovation
  • Module 3: Social Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Business Building sustainable models and organisational resilience
  • Module 4: Impact Measurement & Systems Change Understanding, measuring, and amplifying impact

Where and When

The pilot will run from March 2026 to August 2026.
The programme format includes:

  • Online learning and collaboration via Howspace
  • Two in-person days: one in Dublin and one in a second location determined by participant distribution
  • Hybrid group workshops and one-to-one consultant support

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted via the learning platform (Howspace). The application period is from the 18th of December until the 1st of February.

Application period is closed.

If you have any questions, you are welcome to attend our Application Clinic on 16 January 2026, held via Zoom (see details below). The application process includes an interview, and the dates for the interview will be confirmed after the application period.

Selection Process

Your application will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

  • A social innovation ready to accelerate
  • A developed Business Model Canvas
  • Theory of Change (optional)
  • Video pitch

Eligible applications will be invited to an interview in February. Both the application and interview will be assessed on: Social Impact, Innovation, Social Business Model Canvas, Leadership, and Storytelling.

The ESIC consortium will make the final decision on participants in late February, and we will communicate the outcome via email.

For further inquiries concerning this call, please contact us through: esic@rethinkireland.ie

The call is open from the 17th of December until the 1st of February. Please note that applications received after the deadline cannot be taken into account.

Important dates

  • Application Deadline: 1 February 2026
  • Application Information Clinic: 16 Jan 2026, 11am-12pm (CET)
  • Interviews of selected candidates: during February
  • Decisions and programme start: in March

Frequently asked questions

A pilot generally refers to a small-scale, preliminary test or trial run of a project, product, or process before a full rollout. Its purpose is to validate assumptions, identify potential issues, and gather feedback in a controlled environment. In this case we are testing the co-designed content with Design Thinking Methodology in a participatory design phase.

The ESIC Accelerator offers valuable networking and mentorship opportunities. Participants receive a certificate that validates the potential of the social innovation. The program concludes with a final event day, providing you and your project with visibility at a European level.

No, there are no cash grants associated with the ESIC Accelerator Progamme.

Howspace is an AI-powered digital collaboration and social‑learning platform designed to facilitate meaningful engagement and collective sense‑making at scale. ESIC is using howspace as the learning platform for all its pilots.

No, individual written feedback will not be available for programme applicants.

Don’t worry – you don’t need to produce a high quality or expensive video. You can use a smartphone or tablet. We just want to hear you telling the story of your project in 2 – 3 mins max. Please tell us:

● who you are
● why you are applying for the award
● the problem/issue your project is trying to solve
● how you will do that
● how your solution is innovative or creative.

Course info

Language:

English

Location:

Ireland
Course type:
Hybrid

For:

Social innovator

Duration:

6 months
Apply for the programme

Partner

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Rethink Ireland
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Rethink Ireland provides cash grants and business support to the social innovations who are working towards a more just, equal and sustainable Ireland. By partnering with individuals, families and businesses, we identify the different charities and social enterprises working in communities across the country who are making real headway. These are the organisations not just thinking differently, but who are putting their ideas into practice and building a more inclusive Ireland. Our role is to support these big thinkers with the resources to share and nurture their ideas so that what proves to be effective in their local community has the opportunity to impact our whole country.
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