Connected Communities Fund (Ireland)

Deadline: 11-Apr-25

Rethink Ireland is currently accepting applications to build inclusive and resilient communities and strengthen social cohesion across Ireland.

This €1.5 million fund is created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with Mason Hayes & Curran LLP and the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.

The fund aims to promote equity and inclusion, encourage media literacy and community awareness initiatives, and empower communities to develop meaningful connections across diverse groups.

Funding Information

• Cash grants of up to €204,000 (up to €68,000 per project per year over three years)
• The non-financial supports will include:
  • a place on Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Programme
  • Bespoke business and capacity-building supports designed in consultation with the successful projects on topics such as strategic planning, maximising your impact, communications, storytelling and fundraising
  • Access to Rethink Ireland’s networks

Which projects cannot apply?

• Projects where research is the primary activity.
• Projects seeking funding for capital assets (such as buildings, vans or equipment).
• Projects promoting or aligned with a political party or parties.
• Projects that only accept participants of a particular faith or religious denomination.
• Projects focused on animal welfare.
• Projects based outside the Republic of Ireland.
• Projects led by people under 18 years of age.
• Projects that are an idea (only) and that have not yet started.

Who can apply?

• This fund is open to organisations that have a not-for-profit legal form, e.g. a company limited by guarantee, a co-operative, trust, charity and other not-for-profits that meet the following criteria:
  • Rethink Ireland Core Criteria 
    • The project must address a critical social or environmental issue.
    • The project must be innovative in an Irish context.
    • The project must be based on the island of Ireland and must make its main impact in the Republic of Ireland.
    • The project must have potential and a desire to scale or replicate in Ireland (it may also have potential internationally, but this is not a requirement).
    • The project must provide evidence that it is up and running, or has been tested at least in a minimal way.
    • Applicants must come from an entity that has a not-for-profit legal form, e.g. a company limited by guarantee, a co-operative, trust, charity.
  • Connected Communities Fund Criteria  
    • Successful projects must promote social cohesion and foster inclusivity and community resilience by strengthening civil society responses to increasing polarisation in at least one of the following ways:
      • Capacity-Building & Civic Engagement: Training for civil society organisations, educators or community leaders on countering misinformation.
      • Media & Digital Literacy: Media and digital literacy projects, and education programmes targeting disinformation and misinformation, that equip communities with critical thinking skills to resist inaccurate information and extremist narratives.
      • Prevention and Crisis Intervention:  Prevention and crisis intervention approaches and strategies for preventing community polarisation, and responding to targeted disinformation campaigns.
      • Education and Awareness: Projects working to enhance their community’s ability to withstand and counteract polarisation and discrimination through education and awareness.

Which applicants cannot apply?

• Applicants under 18 years of age.
• Commercial companies, sole traders and individuals.
• Any staff member from Rethink Ireland and their family members. Family members include siblings, parents, spouses or civil partners or children.
• Individuals.
• Statutory or public bodies, companies limited by shares, and organisations that are state bodies or agencies that are not registered charities.
• Any consultant currently working with Rethink Ireland.

For more information, visit Rethink Ireland.