Community-led innovation
The Community-led innovation network is focused on grassroots networks and organisations that are deeply embedded within their communities, and who seek to tackle the everyday challenges experienced by individuals and neighbourhoods.
Meet your Network Facilitators...
Shannon Downey and Monica Nagore are co-ordinating the community-led innovation network on behalf of The Young Foundation.
Shannon Downey
Shannon is a Programme Officer with The Young Foundation, based in Northern Ireland. She is a part of the Amplify NI and Social Innovation Communities Teams. Shannon is interested in tackling inequality and discrimination in society.
Prior to joining The Young Foundation, Shannon worked with The Rainbow Project and Cara-Friend, both charities who work to end discrimination and promote the health and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community of Northern Ireland. Shannon is also involved with grassroots environmental activism.
Shannon, originally from Derry, studied history at Queen’s University Belfast. During her time at university, Shannon got involved in many student campaigns such as opposing a rise in student fees, promoting better LGBTQ+ inclusion on campus and Fossil Free QUB, a campaign to call for Queen’s University to divest from fossil fuel companies.
Outside of work, Shannon is committed to equality, particularly gender and LGBTQ+ equality. Shannon is currently training to be a Relationships and Sexuality Education Facilitator and is hoping to empower young people to look after their sexual health.
Contact: Shannon.downey@youngfoundation.org
Monica Nagore
Mónica is a Senior Associate at the Young Foundation, specializing in European and International Projects. She has a long track record and keen interest in social innovation, previously working for the City of York Council as Innovation Manager. Her past experience has involved facilitating and piloting a range of participatory civic projects, including open innovation models for involving citizens in public design, people-centred approaches for re-designing public services, and improved models for access to social services for at-risk groups.
Monica is passionate about people and believes that believes technology provides us a golden opportunity to involve a much wider group in the change and decision-making processes we need for a better world.
Contact: monica.nagore@youngfoundation.org
