Rethink Ireland and Cork City Council announced that five innovative non-profit projects in Cork, focused on addressing the challenges of green and digital transitions, will receive support from a €400,000 fund.

The projects are part of the SEFIT (Social Ecosystems for Fair and Inclusive Transitions) Challenge Fund, a 10-month pilot collaboration between the municipalities of Cork and Turin, Italy, which aims to eliminate barriers and achieve an equitable and inclusive future for all.

Co-funded by the European Union, the SEFIT Challenge Fund is managed by Rethink Ireland, which supports innovative non-profit organisations throughout Ireland, and Cork City Council. They are working in partnership with their Italian counterparts, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini (FGB) and the City of Turin. For more information, visit Rethink Ireland’s SEFIT page.

The Irish SEFIT Challenge Fund is aligned with a recent consultation conducted by Cork City Council on the upcoming city Climate Action Plan. It engages community representation, marginalised leadership and partnerships between different sectors to tackle the challenge of the green and digital transitions through enhanced collaboration.

Each of the selected projects will receive a comprehensive package of cash grants and non-financial support to amplify their social impact and develop sustainable solutions. The initiatives chosen will run from August 2024 through to May 2025 and include:

• International Garden by Cork Migrant Centre, South Presentation Centre: This intergenerational, migrant-led project offers Irish-grown alternatives to ethnic produce from around the world, supporting families in Direct Provision and upskilling them in business as they bring excess produce to market. The award will help transition the project from a volunteer-based effort to a sustainable and scalable social enterprise.
• ECO-UNESCO: As Ireland’s leading environmental education and youth organisation, ECO-UNESCO will establish a pilot ‘regional hub’ in Cork city. This hub will deliver educational and action-focused workshops to empower young people, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds, to engage in the green transition. The initiative responds to the high demand for such opportunities in the region.
• Bridging the Digital Divide by Cork Deaf Enterprises: This project addresses the digital divide within the Deaf community by offering tailored digital training in Irish Sign Language. By equipping participants with essential IT skills, the initiative seeks to enhance life skills and tackle barriers to employment for a marginalised group.
• Access Studio Project by Cork Community Media Hub: Focusing on minority groups, this project leverages digital technologies for storytelling to combat discrimination and shift attitudes. With the SEFIT funding, the project will expand its media literacy training, enabling more community groups to share their stories and perspectives.
• The Toy Library: Addressing the need for sustainable solutions in the toy economy, this project promotes the recirculation of toys to reduce waste. The award will fund part-time roles for community engagement and digital marketing, ensuring the project can reach and serve a broader audience.

Speaking on the Fund, Cork City Lord Mayor, Councillor Dan Boyle said: “The five awardee projects in Cork reflect our city’s commitment to sustainability and social inclusion, addressing urgent local challenges through community engagement and collaboration. These initiatives are pathways to a fairer and more resilient future for all Cork’s residents. The SEFIT Challenge Fund exemplifies how local actions, backed by strong partnerships, can drive meaningful change in our communities. We are delighted to partner with Turin on this and show how an international inter-city collaboration can work and achieve so much.”

Pádraic Vallely, Senior Philanthropy and Development Manager of Rethink Ireland added: “A huge congratulations to the awardees of the SEFIT Fund. These five projects showcase the innovative thinking needed to make green and digital transitions more equitable. They also embody our community-driven approach to social change. We look forward to seeing the lasting positive impact these initiatives will have on both our environment and society. This is another great example of placed-based giving and its value locally, and an opportunity to replicate in different areas. We look forward to strengthening our partnership across the region with key stakeholders.”