Today, TikTok has announced a €750,000 donation to Rethink Ireland, to create The TikTok Digital Future Fund. The Fund will back nonprofit organisations that work to build digital and creative skills to support marginalised young people aged 15-24 who wish to upskill and/or enter employment. A further €250,000 will be granted to Rethink Ireland in TikTok advertising support.

It has never been more important to equip young people with the skills needed in this ever-changing digital economy. Education and training are vital to increasing opportunities and a positive outcome for young people. TikTok and Rethink Ireland are committed to making a positive social contribution to communities in Ireland and a meaningful difference to the lives of young people.

The projects or organisations selected for the TikTok Digital Future Fund with Rethink Ireland will be working to support the lives of marginalised young people aged 15-24 through upskilling, education and employment-readiness supports:

• Digital and/or Creativity Upskilling (through educational programmes).
• Employment readiness support (soft and hard skills development, work experience programs.

This may look like programmes that;

• Improve digital skills, literacy and confidence for young people not in education, training or employment, or those wishing to upskill/ re-train.
• Inspire and enhance creative skills in young people to prepare them for education, training and employment.
• Prepare young people with work readiness skills, including digital skills, confidence-building and interview skills to prepare them for employment.

“At TikTok we are committed to supporting projects that offer inclusive economic opportunities for all. We are extremely proud that The Digital Future Fund will work to enhance the lives of young people in Ireland who are unemployed, underemployed, or wish to upskill. In an ever changing economic environment, equipping young people with digital skills of the future is critical to the prosperity of our society and economy. We look forward to seeing the impact created for young people by the fund recipients,” Cormac Keenan, Head of Trust & Safety at TikTok.

“I welcome this partnership between TikTok and Rethink Ireland to support the employment prospects of people aged 15-24. The Digital Future Fund will provide our young people with educational opportunities to develop the skills required in the ever changing digital world. “Projects such as this will give our young people an opportunity to enhance their learning and development, self-expression, creativity and communication skills. I look forward to hearing about the outcome of this partnership and have no doubt it will provide participants with the necessary digital skills of the future,” Minister Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development.

“COVID 19 amplified our country’s existing digital divide, highlighting an urgent need for investment into education which is critical to creating equal opportunities for young people in Ireland, regardless of their background. Therefore, we are delighted to partner with TikTok to create a Fund that focuses on closing that digital divide and preparing our young people for employment by empowering them with the skills they need to do so,” said Áine Kerr, Chair, Rethink Ireland.

If you are a project or organisation who would be interested in applying to the Digital Future Fund, please visit our WEB PAGE