Ministers Coveney and Cannon announce funding increase for Development NGOs

Ministers Coveney and Cannon announce increase in funding for Irish Development NGOs

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., and Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon T.D., have today announced an increase in funding to Irish Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) working in overseas development from 2018 onwards.

The Irish development NGO sector works on behalf of some of the most disadvantaged, underprivileged and vulnerable people in the world.  Acknowledging their important work, Irish NGOs can now apply for a grant of up to €400,000 per year from the Irish Aid Civil Society Fund, subject to certain eligibility criteria.  This represents a doubling of the previous maximum available grant. 

 Announcing the increase, Minister Coveney said: 

“Ireland has a proud history of supporting those most in need. Irish development NGOs play a vital role in reaching out and supporting vulnerable people, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances.  This increase to the Civil Society Fund reflects the Government’s continuing commitment to supporting Irish NGOs, including their contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.  The SDGs were brokered by Ireland, with Kenya, at the United Nations and are a global agenda to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity”.

Minister Cannon added: 

“I pay tribute to the work of Irish NGOs in directly tackling poverty in some of the poorest parts of the world, with support from Irish Aid.  The increased funding opportunities announced today will assist them in their work at the grassroots level, including the delivery of services and advocacy for fairer resource allocation and human rights.”

Ends

Press Office

20^th November 2017

Note to Editors:

• 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
• The Civil Society Fund (CSF) aims to support small and medium-sized Irish non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and invited international NGOs to carry out development projects of between one and three years duration.