From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., today announced the 111 community projects set to receive funding under the Communities Integration Fund 2021. Through this Fund, a total of €497,772 will be made available to support local community-based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in welcoming and integrating migrants and refugees.
The Communities Integration Fund has been in place since 2017 and 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, the Communities Integration Fund has supported over 480 projects with grant funding totalling €2.26m.
Welcoming the latest announcement, Minister O’Gorman said:
“I am delighted to announce this funding which will support local communities nationwide to reconnect and to celebrate the rich cultural diversity in our society.
"Settling into a new environment can be a daunting experience for migrants and refugees. The COVID pandemic in particular has presented many challenges, among them an increased risk of social isolation. Local community-based initiatives, such as those awarded funding today, can play a vital role in supporting new arrivals through this transition period, providing them with the opportunity to connect with their new community and to realise their full potential.
"I would like to take this opportunity to commend the tireless commitment and dedication local community based organisations have shown in supporting new arrivals.”
ENDS
The Communities Integration Fund 2021 open call for proposals ran from 15 June 2021 - 2 July 2021. €500,000 has been made available in 2021 to support local projects through small grant funding of €1,000 - €5,000 per successful project.
As in previous years, calls for proposals were grouped under ten themes aiming to promote inclusion and diversity:
1. Intercultural Awareness;
2. Combating Racism and Xenophobia;
3. Sport & Community Games;
4. Arts;
5. Food/Cuisine;
6. Community Events;
7. Capacity Building;
8. Employment;
9. Education;
10. Integration Research.
The table summarising the awards under the Communities Integration Fund 2021 can be found here.