Tánaiste Simon Coveney announces over €2 million to Cork organisations

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, T.D., today announced almost €2 million in funding for four Cork-based organisations to implement aid projects overseas. Brighter Communities Worldwide, SERVE, SHEP (The Social and Health Education Project) and University College Cork (UCC) will receive grants from Irish Aid’s Civil Society Fund.

Announcing the funding, the Tánaiste remarked, “Civil society organisations play a unique role in ensuring that aid reaches those to whom it is intended.  I am proud to see that four Cork-based NGOs have taken on this challenge. Each will bring their own unique contribution and I am sure they will bring about real change for those who need it most”.

Brighter Communities Worldwide, based in Midleton, will receive €780,000 over three years to build strengthened, healthier and more resilient communities in Kenya by improving access to health, education and employment opportunities.

SHEP, based in Ballincollig, will receive €270,000 over three years to work with its partner organisation Sahakarmi Samaj to support marginalised communities in Nepal to enable poor and marginalised communities to exercise their rights to essential services such as health and education.

SERVE, based in Blackrock, will receive €840,000 over three years to work with its partner organisation Young Africa to provide technical vocational education and training to marginalised young people in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

UCC will receive €70,000 to build the capacity of the Irish development workers of the future through volunteer student placements in developing countries.

ENDS

Press Office

06 June 2018

Notes to the Editor:

• Irish Aid is the Government’s overseas assistance programme. It is managed by the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. For further information see www.irishaid.ie

• Amongst OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members, Ireland has the highest proportion of bilateral Overseas Development Assistance channelled through and to Civil Society Organisations. 
• The Irish Aid Civil Society Fund (CSF) primarily supports Irish NGOS to carry out development projects overseas of between one and three years duration.  A small number of foreign NGOs are also invited to apply.  The maximum available grant is €400,000 per annum.
• The organisations which have been approved for funding under the 2018 CSF Round are as follows: A Partnership with Africa, Aidlink, Brighter Communities Worldwide, Camara, Childfund Ireland, Christian Blind Mission Ireland, Fields of Life, Friends in Ireland, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Irish League of Credit Unions Foundation, Meningitis Research Foundation, Minority Rights Group International, Nepal Leprosy Trust Ireland, Nurture Africa, Orbis Ireland, Proudly Made in Africa, Saferworld, Serve, Suas, Tearfund Ireland, SHEP (The Social and Health Education Project), The Carter Centre, University College Cork and War on Want Northern Ireland.