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The SEFIT Challenge Fund – Ireland

Deadline: 16-Apr-24

Applications are now open for the Social Ecosystems for Fair and Inclusive Transitions (SEFIT) Challenge Fund.

The SEFIT Challenge Fund is a 10-month fund co-funded by the European Union and overseen by a collaborative effort between key partners Rethink Ireland, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini, Municipality of Turin and Cork City Council. The fund is part of The Social Ecosystems for Fair and Inclusive Transitions (SEFIT) project, which brings together local authorities, social innovators, and communities to drive transformative change in the green and digital transitions for marginalised communities in both cities.

The Irish SEFIT Challenge Fund’s goal is to support a fair and just green and digital transition by eliminating barriers marginalised communities face. It strives to achieve an equitable and inclusive future for all. This challenge is aligned with recent consultation conducted by Cork Council in order to draft the upcoming city Climate Action Plan. It engages community representation, marginalised leadership and partnerships between different sectors to address the complexity of the green and digital transition.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Projects must meet both Rethink Ireland’s criteria and the specific criteria for the SEFIT Fund, as set out below:
    • Rethink Ireland Criteria
      • The project must address a critical social or environmental issue
      • The project must be innovative in an Irish context
      • The project must have the potential and desire to scale or replicate in Ireland
      • The project must provide evidence that it is up and running, or has been tested at least in a minimal way
      • The project must be based in the Republic of Ireland
      • Applicants must come from an entity that has a ‘not for profit’ legal form e.g.,
        • A company limited by guarantee
        • A co-operative
        • Charity
        • And other not for profit legal forms
    • SEFIT Core Criteria
      • Projects whose main impact takes place in Cork city, and
      • Projects providing solutions to address the green and/or digital transition, and
      • Projects that enable a fair and inclusive transition by empowering marginalised communities through at least one of the following approaches:
        • Project leadership: Projects and/or organisations that are led by a member of a marginalised community
        • Project partnership: Projects and/or organisations that work in partnership with groups and/or institutions to address the barriers to the green and/or digital transition for marginalised communities
        • Community engagement: Projects and/or organisations that empower diverse community groups to play a major role in climate action and/or the digital transition, achieving a fair and inclusive transition.
      • Marginalised identities can include people who: are from Roma or Traveller communities, are migrants or seeking asylum, have a disability, are socio-economically disadvantaged or unemployed, are rurally isolated, are experiencing poor mental health or addiction, or identify as LGBTQ+. Please note, this list is not exhaustive as many individuals experience marginalisation.
    • Advantageous criteria (Not Required)
      • The below criteria will be considered advantageous in applications, however organisations who meet the core criteria but do not meet the advantageous criteria are encouraged to apply.
      • Projects incorporating the strategic priorities for the city in their solution will have an advantage, namely:
        • Built Environment and Energy: Projects/Organisations that engage communities with the issues of green energy and a sustainable built environment
        • Transport and Mobility: Projects/Organisations that focus on access to public transport and promote active travel
        • Natural Environment and Resource Management: Projects/Organisations that focus on protecting and nurturing the natural environment and biodiversity
        • Bridging the Digital Divide: Projects/Organisations that focus on addressing the gap in access to digital technologies for specific communities
      • Please note: Projects do not need to meet advantageous criteria to be successful.

Ineligible

  • Applicants that are not eligible to apply are:
    • Applicants under 18 years of age
    • Commercial companies, sole traders and individuals
    • Any staff member from Rethink Ireland, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini, City Council of Turin and Cork City Council, Directors (where relevant) and their family members. Family members include siblings, parents, spouses or civil partners or children.
    • Individuals, statutory or public bodies, local development companies, LEADER companies, companies limited by shares, and organisations that are funded 100% by state bodies or agencies and continue to be in receipt of that funding.
    • Any consultant currently working with Rethink Ireland.

For more information, visit Rethink Ireland.