A new fund from State-backed growth fund Rethink Ireland has launched today that aims to “remove barriers” in education and employment “for people from marginalised or minority backgrounds,” including undocumented migrants and minority religious and cultural groups.
The ‘Breaking Barriers Fund’ from Rethink Ireland – which is partnering with global financial services company State Street as well as the Department of Rural and Community Development – aims to “support projects and organisations tackling discrimination and inequality in education and employment”.
The €1.37 million fund is intended for projects that in some way address “discrimination and inequality” and eliminate “barriers” to employment and educational opportunities for people and/or groups “who face these barriers”. According to Rethink Ireland, those groups include:
Organisations working towards a “systems change approach” are suited to the fund, the fund’s page says: “The fund aims to empower leaders from marginalised and disadvantaged communities to self-advocate and champion their cause, strengthening networks and partnerships to challenge discriminatory practices and support systemic reforms that enhance access to decent work or education for the most marginalised communities”.
Rethink Ireland adds a note related to that point that “As a charity we cannot fund advocacy that targets legislative or policy change unless in certain circumstances, which are outlined here,” which links to the Charities Regulator’s Guidance on Charities and the Promotion of Political Causes document.
That document states that “The use of charitable funds and resources by a charity for the purpose of engaging in activities to promote a political cause is only permissible if it can be shown that the activity is directly advancing or supporting the charitable purpose of the charity”.
A charity risks breaching the Charities Act 2009 and losing its charity status where it seeks to promote a political cause that does not directly advance its charitable purpose.
On the Breaking Barriers Fund page, Rethink Ireland states that a “comprehensive systems change agenda is imperative to address the deeply rooted discrimination and inequality pervasive in Ireland’s societal fabric”.
“This type of change necessitates innovative interventions that have a systems change approach, and collaborative efforts to inform policy makers, enhance enforcement mechanisms and promote diversity in leadership roles,” it states.
As a result of that, it says that it’s particularly keen to support alliances; projects involving two or more organisations; and/or collaborations “embracing a systems change approach across sectors”.
The fund offers cash grants of up to €189,000 as well as non-financial supports such as a place on Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Programme and business supports.