The launch of a new three-year education programme to encourage innovation in young people has been described as an important way of engaging individuals in social change.

Co-founder and chairwoman of Young Social Innovators (YSI) Sr Stanislaus Kennedy claimed the initiative will help to empower today's youth to become leaders on social issues, the Irish Times reports.

The programme is a joint venture between YSI and the Vodafone Ireland Foundation and it is hoped the €4,000 of funding will reach 100,000 young social entrepreneurs.

It is open to children aged between 15 and 18-years-old and intends to encourage them to identify and create solutions to social problems in their communities.

Niamh Hodgess from YSI explained how the programme is currently in half of all secondary schools in Ireland, with youngsters forming teams of ten and tackling issues throughout the school year.

Sr Kennedy claimed young people "are the ones who will pull us out of the situation" and help improve social problems in the country.

Written by Donal Walsh

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