Organisations that are committed to scaling innovations that bring people together, promote belonging, and empower marginalised communities to shape solutions that work for them, can avail of a new three-year fund, worth €1.5m.
The Connected Communities Fund, which will be run by Rethink Ireland, provides cash grants and business support to not-for-profits working in communities nationwide. The fund aims to advance equity and inclusion, enhance media literacy and community awareness, and support initiatives that encourage meaningful connections across diverse groups.
Projects applying to the fund must meet the minimum eligibility criteria, combining Rethink Ireland’s overarching criteria with specific requirements tailored to the aims of the fund. The project seeking funding must address a critical social issue and must be innovative in an Irish context.
Applicants must come from an entity that has a not-for-profit legal form and the project must be based on the island of Ireland and must make its main impact in the Republic of Ireland.
Also, the project must have potential and a desire to scale or replicate in Ireland, as well as providing evidence that it is up and running, or has been tested at least in a minimal way.
Up to five organisations will receive cash grants, access to Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Programme for scaling social innovations and a tailored package of business and capacity-building supports.
Rethink Ireland launched the fund on February 19th, in partnership with law firm Mason Hayes & Curran and the Department of Rural & Community Development.
Eligible organisations across Ireland are encouraged to apply by visiting rethinkireland.ie/open-funds. The closing date for applications is 1pm on Friday, 11 April.
