New €660,000 fund opens for disadvantaged communities in Dublin

Rethink Ireland has announced the opening of a €660,000 fund to support not-for-profit organisations, including charities, community groups and social enterprises, addressing the issue of unemployment among young adults in Dublin.

The Urban Uplift Fund is a two-year fund aimed at supporting organisations working towards employment and/or employability in Dublin’s most disadvantaged areas.

Up to four organisations will be awarded with cash grants and non-financial supports to assist them in promoting equity of opportunity and access to employment in the technology and environment sectors.

The Urban Uplift Fund is backed with philanthropic capital from JPMorgan Chase and the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.

Alongside cash grants, successful applicants will secure a place on Rethink Ireland’s accelerator programme and access a bespoke non-financial supports package that uses expert consultants to help strengthen and scale awarded projects.

Eligible projects are invited to apply to the €660,000 Urban Uplift Fund before 5 pm on Tuesday, October 6 2022 at the Rethink Ireland website: https://rethinkireland.ie/current_fund/urban-uplift-fund/

Deirdre Mortell, CEO at Rethink Ireland said: “The transition from education to employment continues to be a long and difficult journey for many people in our society, particularly those who exited school early, those with limited formal qualifications, those with care-giving responsibilities, or those with health-related challenges amongst other things.

“Through the Urban Uplift Fund, we seek to support young adults in some of Dublin’s most disadvantaged areas into training, apprenticeships, work placements and sustainable jobs. I would encourage all organisations in the city with relevant projects to apply for this funding.”