Three projects promoting sustainability in Cork through environmental awareness, community inclusion and employment have been awarded supports to the value of €200,000 from a fund created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with Cork Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The Sustainable Cork Fund recipients include Nasc’s Gateway to Inclusion project, which provides supports for female migrants and refugees to pursue education and employment opportunities; NCE Outreach, which offers further education, training and employment for people engaged in post-addiction treatment programmes and probation services; and Refill.ie which will provide innovative initiatives to help eradicate single use plastic water bottles in Cork City and County.

The not-for-profit organisations were among 66 who applied for the Sustainable Cork Fund, which was created to commemorate Cork Chamber of Commerce’s 200-year anniversary. Following an extensive fundraising campaign, philanthropic donations from Cork Chamber and its members were matched by the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund. This brought the combined figure to €200,000, creating the year-long Sustainable Cork Fund.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to the three awardees of the Sustainable Cork Fund. It is so important that we celebrate those organisations and projects that share our commitment to sustainability through environmental, social and economic resilience. The outstanding projects showcase the ways that communities are making a difference. This funding, as well as other supports, will assist them even further with their sustainability plans.”

Caroline O’Driscoll, Board Director at Rethink Ireland, added: “We are delighted to announce our three awardees, all of whom exemplify how you can meaningfully shape a more inclusive future. It has never been more important for us all to think and act sustainably and inclusively, and Nasc, Refill.ie and NCE Outreach are making great strides in this area. This much-deserved recognition will allow them to continue their innovative work, building to a better future.”

Commending Chamber members for their donations to the Fund, Paula Cogan, President of Cork Chamber, said: “When we initiated the call-to-action across the business community as part of the Chamber 200 celebrations in 2019 we never expected such a response. Individuals and businesses across Cork pledged to the Fund, showing what a strong business community can achieve together.

“This fund was the cornerstone of our anniversary programme, as we were determined to create a legacy for Cork. We believe it will have a lasting impact on our community and it will be truly transformational for the Awardees. Their work shows us all what fresh thinking, creativity, and resilience can achieve and what is being done to make Cork a better place to live and work.”