Minister Joe O’Brien announces 70 projects to be funded under the International Protection Integration Fund 2023
- Published on: 21 July 2023
- Last updated on: 16 August 2023
Minister Of State Joe O’Brien with 3 of the successful groups: Sanctuary Runners, Cairde, and Empower.
- over €1.2 million will be made available to 70 not-for-profit, civil society organisations for International Protection support based projects
- grants of up to €20,000 will be allocated to successful organisations to assist in the integration of International Protection Applicants via a range of projects designed to provide additional services and capacity to those in the International Protection system
- every county in Ireland to benefit via multiple projects
The Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien, today announced the 70 projects set to receive €1,200,776 in funding under the International Protection Integration Fund 2023. The Fund helps enable community based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in supporting the integration of International Protection applicants at local and national level.
The International Protection Integration Fund, now in its second year, supports chapter 5.2.2 of the commitments within 'A White Paper to End Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service'. In the white paper, the government committed to developing a community integration fund for International Protection applicants.
Since its inception in 2022 the International Protection Integration Fund has supported 137 projects with grant funding totalling €2.8 million.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister O’Brien said:
“The International Protection Integration Fund is a significant tool to assist civil society organisations with their invaluable work on helping to integrate people who come to Ireland seeking International Protection. The importance of this work with people who are at a particularly vulnerable time in their lives is crucial and every day we see the positive impact that civil society organisations make in helping to foster diverse and vibrant communities whilst supporting individuals. I am delighted to be able to award funding today to 70 different projects across Ireland for the development of such vital work."
Notes
The International Protection Integration Fund 2023 Funding Call for proposals ran from 26 April 2023 – 24 May 2023. Over €1.2 million has been made available in 2023 to support International Protection Integration projects through grant funding of up to €20,000 per successful project.
This level of funding has been made available in 2023 as a targeted measure and parity funding may not be available in future editions of the fund.
The call for proposals was grouped under 6 key themes to support the integration of International Protection Applicants:
- employment
- language
- civic and legal supports
- health and wellbeing
- intercultural awareness
- children and young people
Projects supporting the following objectives were given special priority and attained additional marks during the assessment process:
- Mental Health - Initiatives aimed at bolstering the mental health and wellbeing of women in the International Protection system through the provision or psychological or psychosocial supports
- Solidarity Through Sport - Initiatives aimed at promoting the integration of International Protection Applicants into Irish communities through sport and physical activity
- Inclusion - Initiatives aimed at promoting the integration and inclusion of people from the LGBTI+ community in the International Protection system through the provision of community supports
Successful applicants were asked to demonstrate how their proposed project will build links between International Protection applicants and their host communities, encouraging meaningful integration that benefits the community as a whole.
As this fund is intended to support the integration of International Protection Applicants, including both adults and children. International Protection Applicants are the primary target group for all successful projects. While other individuals may benefit from the project, International Protection Applicants will encompass the vast majority of participants in each project.
