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Midlands Minister Welcomes Communities Integration Fund

Monday, 8 April 2024 12:06

The investment of €500k was announced today.

The work being done with the Community integrations Funds is great for Laois and Offaly according to Minister Pippa Hackett. 

Minister of State Joe O'Brien announces the opening of applications for the Fund

As part of the fund €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 also 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 Communities Integration Fund (CFI) supports all of the diversity found in local communities.

This announcement is the second in a series of announcements to be made by the end of May.

These funds will all be aimed at supporting community groups that have been supportive about community involvement. 

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.” 

Minister Hackett says:

"I welcome the announcement, by my Green Party colleague, Minister Joe O’Brien, that the €500k Communities Integration Fund for 2024 is now open.

Under this fund, grants of up to €5,000 will be awarded to support small local projects that help make communities more welcoming places for recent arrivals.

The Communities Integration Fund celebrates the rich cultural diversity within local communities and enables local community-based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in supporting the integration of migrants.

Communities in Laois and Offaly have been enriched by increased cultural diversity and we must ensure that migrants continue to be supported to actively participate in society while maintaining their own cultural identity.

This funding will assist with the great work already being done by communities in Laois and Offaly to welcome new cultures."

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