A group of students at NUIG were awarded a bursary of €3,000 to push forward their idea to spread autism awareness in Ireland at the Pathways to Progress event last week.
Understanding Le Chéile is a project that empowers people with autism to deliver information workshops that raise awareness of autism in schools and businesses around Ireland.
It is the brainchild of a group of students taking part in Pathways to Progress, which aims to provide resources for students to empower people between the ages of 16 and 24 from disadvantaged urban areas.
Caoimhe Farrell, Academic Leader of Understanding Le Chéile, said this autism awareness campign is about ensuring “equal treatment for everyone in the academic and corporate settings regardless of their physical, intellectual or emotional abilities.”
Now in its second year, the Pathways to Progress initiative is a key element of the partnership between Citi Foundation and Enactus Ireland.
Successful projects receive seed funding, intensive training, mentoring and guidance from Citi volunteers and Enactus Ireland staff.
The final of this year’s competition took place at a Dragon’s Den style pitch meeting hosted by Citi.
Ray Kirwan, Senior Compliance Officer from Citi, said that the judges were impressed by all the finalists, but that Understanding Le Chéile were the stand out entry “for the impact and empowerment for all involved”.
Ronan Lavin, Corporate Leader of Understanding Le Chéile and NUIG student, said that moving forward they hope to “pave a way for businesses and schools to encourage, build and nurture environments founded on inclusion, collaboration and respect”.
To learn more about Enactus Ireland and the Pathways to Progress initiative visit www.enactus.ie.
