Minister of State Joe O’Brien announces the opening of applications for the Communities Integration Fund 2024

• €500,000 will be made available to local community-based projects nationwide to support the integration of migrants.
• Grants of up to €5,000 will be awarded to successful organisations to support integration initiatives.
• Second in a set of five significant funding announcements for migrant integration supports before the end of May - In February a tripled International Protection Integration Fund was opened

The Minister of State for Integration, Joe O'Brien, today announced €500,000 in funding under the Communities Integration Fund 2024.

The CIF enables community-based organisations across Ireland to build on their vital work in reaching out to, and helping to, integrate migrants into local communities. Successful organisations will receive grant funding of €1,000 - €5,000 to support local integration initiatives.

The Communities Integration Fund (CIF) is an important fund; supporting a wide range of community groups working in many different ways to help celebrate and support the rich cultural diversity within local communities.

The announcement of the Community Integration Fund is the second in a series of upcoming fund announcements that will be made before the end of May. The suite of funds will be aimed at supporting community groups that have been active in supporting integration initiatives in local communities across the county.

Minister of State Joe O'Brien said:

"I am delighted to announce the launch of the Communities Integration Fund 2024. The CIF has proven to be especially effective at support small local projects that help make communities more welcoming places for recent arrivals.

The initiatives supported under the CIF are varied and innovative and are carried out by community groups of all sizes throughout Ireland. Groups who have recognised the importance of supporting successful integration - both for those seeking to build a new life here and for the local community welcoming them.

I regularly visit towns, villages and cities across Ireland to meet with the people involved in these groups and I see first-hand the unbelievable breadth of work underway to support people and communities. It is crucial that Government continues to support and grow this great work.

Irish society has been enriched by increased cultural diversity and we must ensure that migrants are supported to actively participate in Irish society without having to relinquish their own cultural identity.

This announcement of CIF funding is a second step in a suite of imminent funding announcements that will further support the great work already being done by local communities to welcome new people and cultures."

How to apply:

Applicants can access a detailed guidance document and complete an online application form link here .

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 pm on 8 May 2024.

ENDS

Note for Editors:

The Migrant Integration Strategy sets out the Government's commitment to the promotion of migrant integration as a key part of Ireland's renewal and as an underpinning principle of Irish society. The Strategy provides a framework for a range of actions to support migrants to participate fully in Irish life.

The Communities Integration Fund arises from Action 51 of the Migrant Integration Strategy, which calls for funding to be made available to local communities throughout Ireland to promote the integration of migrants and refugees. Since its inception in 2017, the Communities Integration Fund has supported over 820 projects with grant funding totalling €3.82m.

Purpose of projects/activities

This call is open to local community-based groups and will focus on 10 key themes to support migrant integration:

• Intercultural Awareness;

• Combating Racism and Xenophobia;

• Sport & Community Games;

• Arts;

• Food/Cuisine;

• Community Events;

• Capacity Building;

• Employment;

• School Aged Projects;

• Migrant Women.

As this Fund is intended to support the integration of migrant and host communities, all applications must demonstrate the ability to involve both migrant and host communities in the activities proposed. The maximum grant amount that can be applied for is €5,000 and the minimum grant is €1,000.