Delmec Proudly Supports The B!g iDea

At Delmec, we understand that synergy shapes success, whether on a site in South Africa, a boardroom in China, or a classroom in Ireland.

That’s why we’re delighted to support The B!g iDea, an exciting new programme that teaches creative problem-solving to transition-year secondary school students. Launched this year, the first phase includes 500 students in three counties, aiming to “inspire our next generation to take on big challenges with confidence”.

The 2021 programme will take place over 15 weeks and centre on five themes: tackling the housing crisis; fighting pandemics; supporting our ageing population; combatting racism; improving our health and wellbeing.

The B!g iDea was founded by the award-winning international product designer Kim Mackenzie-Doyle. A longtime creative advocate, she worked with fellow leaders in her community to bring about The B!g iDea, based on their shared belief in its value to the Irish education system. The students will be assisted by a panel of specially-selected expert judges and mentors – including architect Dermot Bannon, photographer Timi Ogunyemi and designer Róisín Lafferty – who will offer “real-world advice directly to the students, sharing their knowledge and connecting students with their communities and the creative sector”.

Delivered through two classes per week, the programme is designed to complement the existing curriculum and provide students with added skills and benefits such as divergent thinking and collaborative creativity. It also aims to foster an innovative mindset, develop empathy and support positive mental health.

Ever since three Delaney brothers founded our company in 1975, we’ve employed creative thinking to help us meet our clients’ toughest challenges. We agree that “with B!G ideas come B!G solutions,” so we’re pleased to support this great initiative, helping to empower the next generation to devise innovative ways to tackle real-world problems.

The students are busy preparing for their upcoming virtual awards ceremony scheduled for the 21st May. They’ll be competing for category medals and the coveted B!g iDea trophy. We’ll be watching with interest, celebrating the young people of today – and applauding their plans for a better tomorrow.