Power to Participate: Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement Fund 2026

Power to Participate: Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement Fund has been established by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality for Disabled Persons’ Organisations and Civil Society organisations advocating for disabled people. The Fund will make €750,000 available to these organisations to strengthen their capacity to engage strategically with the State specifically in relation to the delivery of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.

The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 launched in September 2025, sets out a whole-of-Government approach to disability. The Strategy is based on five thematic pillars:

• Inclusive Learning and Education
• Employment
• Independent Living and Active Participation in Society
• Wellbeing and Health
• Transport and Mobility

The Strategy supports Ireland to progressively realise the rights of disabled people under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

A key commitment of the Strategy is to establish and embed a robust framework across Government for supporting meaningful and participatory stakeholder engagement with disabled people. Throughout the lifetime of the Strategy there will be a dual focus on building the capacity of both civil and public servants and disability stakeholders.

Under Article 4 (3) of the UNCRPD, the State is required to engage on an ongoing basis with disability stakeholders, including Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs) and other representative organisations, in the development and implementation of policy and legislation. Article 33 (3) further requires governments to ensure the full involvement and participation of civil society, in particular persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, in its monitoring process.

All queries in relation to the Fund can be sent to disabilitygrantfunds@dcde.gov.ie

An information session on the funding call will take place on Wednesday 3 June from 2:30 to 4pm. The session will be held on Zoom. ISL interpretation will be available on the call. If you wish to attend this information session, please email: disabilitygrantfunds@dcde.gov.ie

Guidance Notes for applicants are available below in the following formats:

• English (MS Word, compatible with screen readers);
• English (PDF);
• Irish (PDF);
• Easy-to-Read (PDF);
• Guidance on completing the application form (Easy-to-Read, PDF);
• ISL interpretation (video playlist).

Braille (UEB and SEB) copies of the Guidance Notes are available on request. Please email disabilitygrantfunds@dcde.gov.ie

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