New €500,000 Resilient Communities Fund opens for local projects

Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) and Tomar Trust today announced the launch of Resilient Communities Fund 2017. The €500,000 fund provides grants and support to innovative projects that strengthen community resilience and have an economic, social or environmental impact.

Speaking at the launch, former world champion and healthy lifestyle consultant, Derval O’Rourke said “I’m proud to support Social Innovation Fund Ireland and the Tomar Trust launch this exciting Resilient Communities Fund. I’m always amazed at how innovative towns and villages across Ireland can be at tackling local issues.’’

Resilient Communities is a €500,000 fund, created by Social Innovation Fund Ireland in partnership with the Tomar Trust and the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Department of Rural and Community Development provides matched funding for philanthropic funds raised by Social Innovation Fund Ireland, from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

For every euro Social Innovation Fund Ireland raises from private benefactors, the government matches that and the funds are then distributed to projects that make a real impact on people’s lives.

This new Resilient Communities Fund will provide critical supports to projects focused on making communities across Ireland safer, healthier, and more vibrant. The deadline for applications is the 31st January 2018.

Speaking at the launch, Eoghan Ryan, Resilient Communities Fund Manager said, “The partnership between Social Innovation Fund Ireland and the Tomar Trust will enable transformative local projects to grow and spread.’’

Successful projects will receive a cash grant and a place on Social Innovation Fund’s Accelerator; a programme designed to help them grow and develop their ideas into powerful community solutions through ongoing support and advice.

“We already know that there are many communities building resilience across Ireland, creating sustainable jobs, addressing rural isolation, increasing biodiversity or developing community-owned renewable energy schemes. Through the Social Innovation Fund we are looking to support the best, innovative projects that address critical issues, which are innovative and build that social capital that makes us resilient as a community.” said Emma Lane-Spollen, CEO of Tomar Trust.

“Successful projects will be able to demonstrate impact and strike us as having an approach that should be shared with other communities and could be replicated. This fund will enable such organisations to strengthen what they do, raise their profile locally and nationally and look at potential for national impact” , said Deirdre Mortell, CEO of Social Innovation Fund Ireland.

Applications to the Fund are encouraged from non-profit social organisations including schools and educational institutions, charities, community groups and social enterprises.

You can apply online for funding before the Friday 31 January 2018 deadline through the Social Innovation Fund Ireland’s website: http://www.socialinnovation.ie/resilientcommunities/