Five Leitrim projects get funding to support integration initiatives

The Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien, today announced the 111 community projects set to receive funding under the Communities Integration Fund 2023, five of which are from Co Leitrim.

Through this Fund, a total of €509,415 will be made available to support local community-based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in welcoming and integrating migrants and refugees.

The Communities Integration Fund has been in place since 2017 and arises from Action 51 of the Migrant Integration Strategy, which calls for funding to be made available to local communities throughout Ireland to promote the integration of migrants and refugees.

Since its inception, the Communities Integration Fund has supported over 820 projects, with grant funding totalling €3.82 million.

The five projects in Leitrim are:

• Drumshanbo Sports Hub - Ukrainian Women on the Water €3,600
• Fenagh Development Company Ltd - Fenagh Welcomes & Heritage Art Project €3,860
• Leitrim Ladies LGFA Coaching and Development Programme €5,000
• Leitrim International Community Group - Intercultural Awareness in Co. Leitrim €5,000
• North Leitrim Intercultural Forum (NLIF) - Active Together Leitrim €5,000

Welcoming the announcement, Minister O’Brien said:

“Over the years the Communities Integration Fund has been a critical source of small grant funding for many local community groups across Ireland working to successfully integrate migrants and thereby help develop vibrant and diverse communities.

“I am delighted to be in a position to award this funding to the successful applicants for this important scheme as I regularly visit community groups up and down the country and see first-hand how small grants such as this can kick-start small but vital local projects which in turn make a massive difference in people’s lives.”