Minister O’Gorman invites applications to the Communities Integration Fund 2022

• €500,000 will be made available to local community-based projects nationwide to support the integration of migrants.

• Grants of up to €5,000 will be allocated to successful organisations to support integration initiatives.

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, today approved €500,000 in funding under the Communities Integration Fund 2022.

Now in its sixth year, the Communities Integration Fund celebrates the rich cultural diversity within local communities and enables local community-based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in supporting the integration of migrants. Successful organisations stand to receive grant funding of €1,000 – €5,000 to support local integration initiatives.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister O’Gorman said:

“I am delighted to announce the launch of the Communities Integration Fund 2022. Irish society has been enriched by increased cultural diversity and we must ensure that migrants are supported to actively participate in Irish society while maintaining their own cultural identity. This funding will bolster the great work being done by local communities to welcome new cultures.”

How to apply:

Applicants can access a detailed guidance document and complete an online application form here.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 pm on Wednesday 06 April 2022.

ENDS

Note for Editors:

The Migrant Integration Strategy sets out the Government’s commitment to the promotion of migrant integration as a key part of Ireland’s renewal and as an underpinning principle of Irish society. The Strategy provides a framework for a range of actions to support migrants to participate fully in Irish life.

The Communities Integration Fund arises from Action 51 of the Migrant Integration Strategy, which calls for funding to be made available to local communities throughout Ireland to promote the integration of migrants and refugees. Since its inception in 2017, the Communities Integration Fund has supported over 490 projects with grant funding totalling €2.76m.

Purpose of projects/activities

This call is open to local community based groups and centres around 10 key themes to support migrant integration:

• Intercultural Awareness;

• Combating Racism and Xenophobia;

• Sport & Community Games;

• Arts;

• Food/Cuisine;

• Community Events;

• Capacity Building;

• Employment;

• Education;

• Integration Research.

Projects supporting the following objectives will be given special priority this year and will attract additional marking during the selection process:

1. Initiatives that support the integration of migrant women;

2. Initiatives aimed at supporting migrant children and youth;

3. Initiatives that support migrants to meaningfully participate in the labour market;

4. Initiatives that promote community volunteering.

As this Fund is intended to support the integration of migrant and host communities, all applications must demonstrate the ability to involve both migrant and host communities in the activities proposed. The maximum grant amount that can be applied for is €5,000 and the minimum grant is €1,000.