Rethink Ireland earlier this month launched the new €1.5 million Skills for Tomorrow Fund in collaboration with Deloitte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
The fund will support innovative projects across Ireland helping marginalised individuals and communities develop the skills they need to succeed in the future world of work. The fund will also support successful applicants to strengthen their impact through the practical and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT
Skills for Tomorrow will support up to nine organisations over 2.5 years, with cash grants ranging from €137,500 to €200,000.
The fund comes at a time of shifting labour markets and rapid technological change, with increasing concern that individuals and communities already experiencing marginalisation risk being left further behind due to barriers to accessing education, training, digital literacy and employment opportunities.
Applications are encouraged from projects and organisations focused on improving education and employment outcomes for marginalised groups, including young people not in education, employment or training, long-term unemployed individuals, people with disabilities, minority ethnic communities, lone parents and those experiencing educational disadvantage.
Launching the Skills for Tomorrow Fund, Deirdre Mortell, CEO of Rethink Ireland, said that the fund is about ‘creating practical and inclusive pathways into employment, education and lifelong learning’.
“Through this fund, we want to support organisations in Munster and across Ireland that are already doing transformative work in communities across Ireland and help them scale their impact. We are also particularly excited to support successful applicants to explore how artificial intelligence can enhance and streamline the work they do every day.”
JUNE 29TH CLOSING DATE
The Skills for Tomorrow Fund is seeking applications from two strands, the first is organisations providing supports for young people; and the second is support for adults. Projects supported through the fund should demonstrate innovative and evidence-based approaches to future skills development, digital inclusion and workforce participation.
Applications are now open and will close on 29th June. Further information is available at https://rethinkireland.ie/current_fund/skills-for-tomorrow-fund/
