Deadline: 06-Mar-2024
The Minister of State Joe O’Brien is inviting applications for the International Protection Integration Fund.
Purpose and Goal
- The purpose of the International Protection Integration Fund 2024 is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of International Protection applicants (IPAs).
- A total of €1,500,000 will be made available in 2024 to community-based organisations to carry out integration projects at a national, regional or local level.
Project Themes
- Employment – Initiatives aimed at bolstering the employability of International Protection applicants through the provision of employment activation workshops. For example:
- The delivery of CV and interview preparation classes, culminating in mock interviews;
- The provision of intensive ‘Business English’ lessons for the workplace.
- Educational Awareness – Initiatives aimed at raising awareness of currently sensitive topics including domestic and gender-based violence. For example:
- The provision of workshops and training sessions to cover culturally sensitive topics.
- Artistic expression to raise awareness around cultural sensitive issues such as domestic and gender based violence.
- Language – Initiatives aimed at supporting IP applicants’ acquisition of the English language. For example:
- The provision of weekly English language lessons at beginner level (A1/A2) to adults in the International Protection system;
- The delivery of informal or conversational English language classes to IP applicants in community settings.
- Civic and Legal Supports – Initiatives aimed at augmenting IP applicants’ understanding of the asylum process and its procedures through the provision of legal information and support. For example:
- The delivery of information clinics to IP applicants highlighting their legal rights and entitlements in Ireland.
- Health and Wellbeing – Initiatives aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of IP applicants through structured physical activity, nutritional education/guidance or psychological supports with a particular focus on initiatives to support aged out minors and Victims of Trafficking. For example:
- The establishment of trauma-informed support groups for victims of gendered violence in the International Protection system;
- The delivery of structured health and wellness programmes focused on exercise, nutrition and physical wellbeing.
- Intercultural Awareness – Initiatives aimed at fostering social connections between IP applicants and host communities through the organisation of intercultural events/festivals/community gatherings. For example:
- The organisation of multicultural summer camps for children;
- The organisation of food fairs enabling applicants to share their culinary heritages with host communities.
- Children and Young People – Initiatives aimed at supporting the social inclusion of children and young people in the International Protection system by coordinating access to recreational or voluntary activities. For example:
- The organisation of weekly sporting activities for IP children and children from the locality.
- The expansion of a local theatre group to include IP children and youth.
- Transportation – Initiatives aimed at addressing the transportation issues faced by IP applicants accommodated in rural areas. For example:
- The organisation of daily shuttle bus to the local community centre.
- The provision of bicycles for IP applicants.
- LGBTQI+ – Initiatives aimed at supporting IP applicants who are members of the LGBTQI+ community. For example:
- Creation of support groups that can help IP applicants talk about their struggles and receive support.
- Funding for the production of media show (e.g. radio, TV, podcast), bringing visibility to the struggles of LGBTQI+ members of the IP community.
Funding Information
- Grants may range from €30,000 up to a maximum of €100,000 for Scheme A projects and €2,000 to €10,000 for Scheme B projects. All applicants must have an active bank account in the name of the organisation, and Tax Clearance Certificate, or a Charity Number at the time of application.
Target Group
- The purpose of the International Protection Integration Fund 2024 is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of IPAs, including both adults and children. IPAs should therefore be the primary target group for all submissions. While other individuals may benefit from the project, IPAs must encompass the vast majority of participants in a project. As the IPIF is intended to promote the integration of IPAs and host communities, applicants are required to explain how the proposed project will bring IPAs and host communities together. Projects may not be focussed solely to any one particular ethnic group or nationality.
Eligibility Criteria
- Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, charities, faith-based groups, formal and informal schools, cultural organisations. Applicant organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis.
- Scheme A is open to large scale projects and Scheme B is open to smaller scale projects.
For more information, visit Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.