On the 29th of October, Erik van Lennep was honoured as one of Ireland´s Leading Innovators at the Annual Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI) Awards Ceremony for founding TEPUI.

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland aims to ignite social change by identifying, investing in and supporting Irish social entrepreneurs – individuals who are prepared to take risks by applying their energy, drive, ambition and innovation to tackle some of Ireland’s most entrenched social problems. Since 2004 the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards programme has selected and supported 116 leading social entrepreneurs, providing financial support, training, education and network opportunities. For more information, visit www.socialentrepreneurs.ie

Guest speaker, Liam Black, former CEO of Fifteen, Jamie Oliver’s social initiative for disadvantaged youths, reiterated the importance and necessity of innovation in making social change and progress. Liam himself has held several high profile social enterprise leadership positions including at Liverpool’s FRC Group, widely seen as one of the UK’s pioneering social businesses.

Congratulating the recipients, he said “Now more than ever we need innovative solutions to the social challenges we face, we need people to step up to the mark to take on the task of tackling these issues, the need for social entrepreneurship is stronger than its ever been."

Erik: "This award is a very welcome acknowledgement of our efforts, the people behind TEPUI and the need for making the world around us a greener and more liveable place. Being part of this network of social innovators and getting the much-needed support feels like coming home."