UL Immersive Software Engineering 2026 Givebackathon supports Limerick charities

Mid West Tech Fest, 2026 Givebackathon, Immersive Software Engineering Students from the University of Limerick tackle technical challenges for local charities in the Engine Collaboration Centre, Limerick., Gillian Place UL. Senator Maria Byrne, Kieran Ryan Benson, KRB & MWTF, Anna Rooney, Start Up Atlas, Limerick IT Summit and Ben Fitzgerald Kiely, UL with the Children’s Grief Centre Team. Picture: Keith Wiseman

University of Limerick (UL) Immersive Software Engineering students tackle real-world digital challenges for Limerick charities for the 2026 Givebackathon

Fifty-seven computing students from University of Limerick collaborated with ten Limerick and Mid-West charities and social enterprises to develop practical digital solutions at the third annual Givebackathon, which took place on 11 March at Engine, Innovate Limerick, in association with the Limerick IT Summit and Mid-West Tech Fest.

University of Limerick hosted the annual Givebackathon, a day-long event in which undergraduate 1st year Immersive Software Engineering (ISE) students work with local charities and social enterprises to address real and pressing digital challenges, at no cost to the organisations.

Now in its third year, the Givebackathon has grown significantly from its initial pilot, to partnering with 10 community organisations to deliver 14 digital projects, a scale of engagement that reflects the growing demand from charities seeking practical, responsible support with digital transformation.

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The initiative was delivered as part of UL’s Immersive Software Engineering programme (CSIS). Student teams work with charity representatives across guided sessions covering problem exploration, idea generation and practical prototyping, before presenting their recommendations and providing each organisation with a clear, actionable handover.

Ben Fitzgerald Kiely, Givebackathon, University of Limerick, said, “The Givebackathon demonstrates what is possible when universities enable active student learning. Our students leave the day with a deeper understanding of what it means to use their technical skills for social good, and our community partners gain practical, high-quality digital guidance they might not otherwise have access to.”

Participating organisations in 2026 represent a diverse range of community, cultural, social inclusion, mental health and sustainability initiatives. They include SwapnServe 2, The Urban Co-Op & Wellness Hub, Conscious Connections, Limerick Mental Health Association, Bedford Row Family Project, Social Factory, L’Alliance Française de Limerick, INTRE (Irish Network for Teaching and Researching Entrepreneurship), and the Children’s Grief Centre.

The digital challenges addressed span a range of needs including website development, data management, compliance awareness, digital communication strategies, inventory systems and app development.

The 2026 Givebackathon marks a significant milestone through a formal partnership with the Limerick IT Summit, Ireland’s largest regional gathering of technology leaders, SMEs and digital innovators. The Givebackathon operates as a flagship community engagement strand of the MidWest TechFest, placing student-led responsible innovation at the heart of the region’s digital agenda and significantly broadening the initiative’s visibility and reach.

The showcase event was held at Engine, Innovate Limerick, on 11 March, where students presented their solutions to charity partners and invited guests. We were thrilled to have Senator Maria Byrne visit and offer words of encouragement and enthusiasm to the students.