Grants to support NGOs & Education Networks Working in Post-Primary Sector (Ireland)

Deadline: 19-May-23

The WorldWise Global Schools (WWGS) is providing grants to NGOs & Education Networks working in the post-primary sector in the Republic of Ireland (ROI).

Grant funding can be applied for on an annual basis (from April) to assist Schools/NGOs & Education Networks with activities and initiatives, which promote Global Citizenship Education, to take place in the following academic year.

Global Citizenship Education (also known as development education) is a powerful vehicle through which they can better understand the world to live in, and take action to change it as informed global citizens. It equips both educators and learners with the knowledge, skills and values to act ethically and sustainably in a world that is both complex and highly interconnected.

WWGS Grant Funding for Organisations

• WWGS recognises the role of NGOs and education networks in supporting post-primary schools’ engagement with Global Citizenship Education, and in building their capacity to do so. NGOs and education networks have long been a key resource and support for post-primary schools seeking guidance in relation to GCE, and for those seeking ways to deepen their engagement with GCE. NGOs and education networks often provide enhanced learning in niche areas and assist WWGS to build the capacity of a greater number of post-primary schools.

Eligibility Criteria

• WWGS endeavours to support NGOs and education networks that demonstrate effective GCE delivery, engagement, capacity building, good practice and financial oversight. Applications for funding are invited from eligible organisations for GCE initiatives in post-primary schools in the coming academic year under Grant Call 2023.
• Eligible Organisations:
  • Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
    • NGOs not in receipt of Irish Aid programme funding; who work with post-primary schools and education networks to build their capacity to ‘do’ GCE themselves; and who fulfil the eligibility criteria.
  • Established Education Networks
    • WWGS will support and fund established education networks that wish to increase their participating schools’ capacity to engage with global justice and development issues. The key characteristic of an established education network is its governance structure. Networks may focus on GCE issues or topics that are of common interest to its participating schools; networks may also be formed based on geographical proximity, partner schools in the same partner country, or working with a particular NGO. A network may include schools from Northern Ireland but only where the lead school is based in the Republic of Ireland.
• Specific applicant eligibility criteria:
  • Any NGO or established education network engaged in GCE at post-primary level that meets the following criteria is eligible to apply for WWGS grant funding.
    • Organisational Status: Applicant organisations must have a charitable tax exemption from the Irish Office of the Revenue Commissioners i.e. be the holder of a charity reference number (CHY), or hold a current Tax Clearance Certificate.
    • Governance: Applicant organisations must have a formal decision-making structure that can take legal responsibility for the administration and use of Irish Aid WorldWise Global Schools funds.
    • Dependency on Irish Aid: Income received from Irish Aid, either directly or indirectly, must not exceed 90% of the applicant’s overall organisational income. This dependency must not exceed 60% in cases where an organisation is a recipient of income under Irish Aid’s Civil Society Fund (CSF). Applications requesting in excess of this amount will be deemed ineligible.
    • Funding Status: Applicant organisations in receipt of a Programme Grant from Irish Aid, or who are Strategic Partners of the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Unit, are not generally eligible to apply for WWGS funding.
    • Financial Accountability: Applicants should have annual accounts for the two most recent financial years available and, where possible, on their organisation’s website. In cases where the annual organisational income exceeds €100,000, these must be independently audited accounts.
    • Record of Compliance: Applicant organisations previously in receipt of WWGS/Irish Aid funds must have a record of compliance in terms of the administration and use of such funds (i.e. have submitted financial and narrative reports as per agreed schedules in previous contracts).
    • Child Protection: Organisations that work with children and young adults under the age of 18 must have child protection policies in place that are dated and in compliance with policy guideline Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2017.
    • Joint Applications: WWGS will accept applications from entitiesthat wish to jointly apply for a collaborative GCE engagement. In such instances there will be an eligible lead applicant who will be responsible for submitting the application on behalf of the other organisation(s).

For more information, visit WorldWise Global Schools (WWGS).