Submit Applications for Sustainability Step-Up Fund (Ireland)

The Sustainability Step-Up Fund is a €1.5 million climate-focused funding programme in Ireland supporting social innovations that address environmental and social challenges. It funds up to five scalable projects with grants of up to €210,000 over 18 months, along with accelerator-based capacity-building support. The fund targets organisations already active in climate or sustainability work that are ready to scale impact.

Overview

The Sustainability Step-Up Fund is a national funding initiative in Ireland designed to accelerate climate action and social innovation. It supports organisations working at the intersection of environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and community development.

The programme is structured to help proven initiatives scale their impact, strengthen resilience, and deliver long-term solutions to climate and social challenges.

Key Objectives of the Fund

The fund focuses on enabling systemic change through community-driven innovation.

Core Goals

• Expand scalable climate and social innovations
• Strengthen community-led climate action
• Improve environmental awareness and education
• Support circular economy development
• Enable rural and farming sustainability transitions
• Promote biodiversity protection and ecological resilience

Funding Details

The Sustainability Step-Up Fund provides both financial and non-financial support.

Financial Support

• Total fund size: €1.5 million
• Duration: 2 years
• Funding per project: Up to €210,000
• Implementation period: 18 months
• Number of projects funded: Up to 5

Non-Financial Support

Selected organisations receive structured capacity-building support, including:

• Accelerator workshops
• Strategic planning guidance
• Impact measurement training
• Communications development
• Financial sustainability support
• Fundraising strategy assistance
• Access to expert networks
• Ongoing project performance monitoring

Eligible Organisations

The fund targets established and operational organisations with scaling potential.

Eligible Entity Types

• Companies limited by guarantee
• Co-operatives
• Charities
• Trusts
• Voluntary organisations
• Other registered not-for-profit organisations

Geographic Eligibility

• Organisations must be based on the island of Ireland
• Primary project impact must be within the Republic of Ireland

Project Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, projects must meet the following conditions:

Core Requirements

• Must address a significant social or environmental challenge
• Must demonstrate innovation within the Irish context
• Must already be operational or tested
• Must show readiness to scale or replicate impact
• Must align with climate action and sustainability goals

Thematic Focus Areas

Projects should align with at least one of the following:

• Climate resilience and community adaptation
• Environmental education and awareness
• Biodiversity protection and conservation
• Circular economy solutions (reuse, recycling, waste reduction)
• Sustainable production systems
• Rural and agricultural sustainability innovation

Why the Sustainability Step-Up Fund Matters

The programme is designed to bridge the gap between pilot projects and large-scale implementation.

Key Impact Areas

• Accelerates climate innovation at community level
• Strengthens grassroots organisations in Ireland
• Supports transition to low-carbon and circular economy models
• Enhances resilience in rural and farming communities
• Builds long-term organisational capacity, not just short-term funding

This combined funding and accelerator model ensures both financial stability and strategic growth for selected organisations.

How the Programme Works

The Sustainability Step-Up Fund follows a structured selection and support process.

Step 1: Application Submission

Applicants must submit:

• Organisational background
• Project description and innovation model
• Evidence of current implementation or pilot testing
• Scaling strategy and impact potential
• Budget plan and resource needs

Step 2: Evaluation Process

Applications are assessed based on:

• Environmental and social impact potential
• Level of innovation in the Irish context
• Scalability and replication potential
• Organisational readiness and capacity
• Alignment with climate action objectives

Step 3: Selection of Projects

• Up to five projects are selected
• Each receives tailored funding and support package

Step 4: Accelerator Programme Participation

Selected organisations enter the Rethink Ireland Accelerator Programme, which provides:

• Strategic business development support
• Impact measurement frameworks
• Financial planning assistance
• Communications and storytelling guidance
• Fundraising and sustainability coaching
• Continuous performance tracking

Step 5: Implementation Phase

• Projects are implemented over 18 months
• Organisations receive ongoing mentoring and monitoring
• Progress is evaluated against impact metrics

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applications are often weakened by avoidable issues.

Frequent Errors

• Submitting ideas without proof of existing implementation
• Lack of clear scaling strategy
• Weak connection to climate or environmental impact
• Unclear or unrealistic budget planning
• Limited evidence of innovation in the Irish context

Best Practices

• Show real-world testing or pilot results
• Clearly define measurable environmental outcomes
• Demonstrate scalability and replication potential
• Align project goals with circular economy and climate resilience
• Provide strong evidence of organisational capacity

FAQs – Sustainability Step-Up Fund

1. What is the Sustainability Step-Up Fund?

It is a €1.5 million Irish funding programme supporting scalable climate and social innovation projects that address environmental and community challenges.

2. How much funding can each project receive?

Each selected project can receive up to €210,000 over an 18-month implementation period.

3. Who can apply for the fund?

Not-for-profit organisations such as charities, co-operatives, trusts, voluntary organisations, and companies limited by guarantee operating in Ireland.

4. What kind of projects are eligible?

Projects focused on climate action, circular economy, biodiversity, rural sustainability, and environmental education that are already tested or operational.

5. Do organisations need to be based in Ireland?

Yes, organisations must be based on the island of Ireland, and their primary impact must be in the Republic of Ireland.

6. Is non-financial support included?

Yes, selected applicants receive accelerator training, strategic mentoring, impact measurement support, and access to expert networks.

7. How many projects will be funded?

Up to five projects will be selected for funding and support.

Conclusion

The Sustainability Step-Up Fund is a targeted climate innovation programme in Ireland designed to scale proven social and environmental solutions. By combining substantial financial support with structured accelerator training, it helps organisations transition from pilot initiatives to scalable, high-impact climate action projects.

Its focus on circular economy, rural sustainability, and community resilience makes it a key funding mechanism for advancing long-term environmental and social transformation in Ireland.