Impact Fund For Munster 2024
Fostering a sustainable and inclusive future for communities across the Munster region.
The overarching goal of the Impact Fund for Munster 2024-25 is to foster a sustainable and inclusive future for the Munster region by investing in innovative projects that address interconnected social and environmental challenges. The fund supports the inclusion, involvement and recognition of the diverse communities of the Munster region and strives to empower communities that tend to be left out of conversations.
Through the environmental focus, the fund will support projects that tackle issues such as biodiversity loss, food system deficits, overconsumption, pollution, climate inaction, ensuring that inclusion is at the heart of these projects, and that nobody is left behind. Through its social focus, the fund will address the social needs of marginalised and vulnerable groups within the region, including an additional strand to champion the inclusion and integration of neurodiverse peoples and communities through innovative approaches.
The Impact Fund for Munster 2024-25 is a one-year €672,000 Rethink Ireland fund created in collaboration with Tomar Trust, Ei Electronics, Sunflower Charitable Foundation, the Parkes family in Limerick, and a private donor. The fund also benefits from match funding provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Awardees
Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland
Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) is a national charity transforming the lives of children with autism by providing highly trained assistance and support dogs. Through its innovative School Support Dog Programme, AADI promotes emotional regulation, academic focus, and social inclusion in classrooms.
“Being selected for the Impact Fund for Munster is a game-changer for our School Support Dog Programme. It not only allows us to grow our reach but strengthens our ability to measure and advocate for meaningful inclusion in education.”
-Nuala Geraghty, CEO
The Limerick Theatre & Performance Hub (The GAFF)
The Paint Punch Project is a workshop programme developed by The GAFF (the Limerick Theatre & Performance Hub) for young Traveller boys to paint using boxing gloves to punch paint onto boards instead of using a brush and canvas. The programme helps young people express themselves physically and artistically, with their vibrant work now proudly exhibited in galleries and shows across Ireland.
“With this funding we can scale up our Paint Punch Munster programme, helping to reach 200 participants across Munster. The programme improves the positive wellbeing of the participants, helping us combat the mental health challenges and high suicide rates of young Traveller men.”
-Padhraic Hastings, Chairman, The GAFF
Living Woodlands
Living Woodlands works with community organisations and schools to identify underused and neglected green spaces that can be transformed into flourishing and beautiful havens of biodiversity – woodlands, tiny forests, native hedgerows, and permaculture orchards that support biodiversity, sequester carbon and achieve long term environmental impact at the local level.
“We are delighted to have won this award as this will enable us to undertake seven more community projects in the Munster area as well as help us become more self-sustainable in the long term.”
– Colm Galvin Exec Director
The Toy Library
The Toy Library sets out to tackle toy waste and foster recirculation in Ireland by offering a free digital sharing platform to connect families and allow them to request toys from each other. They also organise in-person pop-up “Swap and Play” events where they bring the community together.
“The Toy Library is delighted to continue working with Rethink Ireland in the sustainable consumption revolution! With this award we will increase our user base and create more awareness of The Toy Library digital and community engagement efforts”
-Giorgia Anile, Founder & CEO
AsIAm
AsIAm reduces the barriers experienced by Autistic children and young adults in preschool, school and university through their training programmes. With the support of this grant, AsIAm will extend their ‘Understanding Autism’ workshops to primary school students in 5th and 6th class in the Munster region.
“Winning this award is a powerful recognition of the work we are doing to build a more inclusive Ireland. This support will help thousands of young students learn about autism, empathy, and acceptance from an early age.”
-Adam Harris, CEO
Cork International Film Festival (CIFF)
Cork International Film Festival (CIFF) is Ireland’s largest and longest-running film festival. At its heart, CIFF is committed to creating inclusive, immersive cultural experiences, offering audiences the chance to engage with Irish, European and global film in meaningful ways while providing filmmakers with opportunities for discussion, connection, learning, and dissemination of their work.
“The Rethink Ireland Impact Fund for Munster award is vital for our youth filmmaking outreach project Look@Me, which will be delivered in collaboration with Cork Migrant Centre. We look forward to showcasing their creative work at our landmark 70th edition of Cork International Film Festival this November.”
-Fiona Clark, Festival Director & CEO
New Wave Wild Project
This clinical adventure therapy non-profit based in Kerry supports young people, adults, and families to engage with therapy by combining it with adventures in natural blue and green spaces. The programmes range from one-to-one intensive adventure therapy, to family sessions, and early intervention groupwork – for people who need a creative option.
“We are very proud that our vision has resonated with Rethink Ireland and we are thrilled to have their support to bring our plans into development.”
– Jasmin Stallard, Director
University of Limerick Foundation
Through a digital exhibition, workshops, and pop-up events, Tomorrow’s University aims to empower Munster communities to reimagine the role of universities, insititutions, and individuals in shaping regenerative futures, bridging the gap between ideas and local, transformative action.
“This award from Rethink Ireland enables us to expand the Tomorrow’s University project in Limerick and Munster. At a time of deep interconnected crises (climate, biodiversity, and social inequality) it is essential that we empower communities to collectively imagine and work towards a regenerative future.”
-Andrea Deverell, Tomorrow’s University Project Lead, University of Limerick
Wild Earth
Wild Earth provides free-access for young people, including those from vulnerable and marginalized groups, to therapeutic nature-based learning sessions, in biodiverse and beautiful natural settings in Co. Clare. Wild Earth has shown to enhance mental well-being, build resilience in and improve the physical health of its young participants.
“We are deeply grateful to be selected as recipients of the Impact for Munster Fund. With this support from Rethink Ireland, Wild Earth can ensure that some of the most marginalized and vulnerable children in our communities will continue to have free-access to this impactful and in some cases essential service. On behalf of the children and families whose lives have been changed by Wild Earth, Thank you.”
-Lee Bradley, Executive Director
