The Irish Abroad Unit in Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs manages and coordinates the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which aims to fund projects that will have "a clear and identifiable impact on supporting and building global Irish communities."
Since its inception in 2004, the ESP has assisted more than 850 organizations in 51 countries, with over €237 million in funding allocated to date. Grants have ranged from small amounts for grass-roots groups to major allocations awarded to voluntary and community organizations operating on a large scale.
The ESP prioritizes projects that are in line with the objectives of the Irish Government’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025. Working through hundreds of organizations across the world, the ESP focuses primarily on welfare support of the vulnerable and nurturing Ireland’s cultural heritage abroad.
The application window for the 2024 Emigrant Support Programme funding round is now open and will close on February 22, 2024, at 5:30 pm local time. The funding year runs from July 1 each year until June 30 the following year.
All applications must be made online via IrishAbroadGrants.ie.
This year, a separate application form has been introduced for organizations seeking €20,000 or less (or local equivalent). This Small Grants Scheme involves a new shorter application form with less reporting throughout the year. The criteria for both ESP streams are the same.
There are several categories for funding: heritage, welfare (elderly), welfare (other), business networks, and capital. Organizations may make applications in more than one category.
Applicant organizations should be established as registered charities, charitable bodies, or voluntary/not-for-profit organizations.
Previous ESP grant recipients include Irish Nurses in the NHS (Great Britain), The Hutt Valley Irish Society (New Zealand), Feile Oslo (Norway), United Irish Cultural Center San Francisco (US), and The Irish Support Agency (Australia).
Seán Fleming, Ireland's Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, welcomed the opening of the 2024 application period on Thursday.
“Since being appointed Minster for International Development & Diaspora, I have met with Irish communities in different parts of the world, including Africa, Britain, Brazil, Canada, the USA, as well as at the third Global Irish Civic Forum in Dublin last year," Fleming said.
"I have seen first-hand how different their needs are from each other and how we need to respond to those needs.
“The strength of the Emigrant Support Programme lies in the wide range of organizations who provide such dedicated support to our communities abroad – since its inception in 2004, the ESP has assisted more than 850 organizations in 51 countries, with over €237 million in funding allocated to date.
“As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Emigrant Support Programme, it is fitting that we pay tribute to the work of each of those organisations, and many others, in supporting our communities all over the world.
“I am delighted that the initial allocation for the 2024/2025 Emigrant Support Programme of €15,395,000 is the highest ever- reflecting the value the Government places on supporting our communities abroad.”
Last year, Fleming discussed the Emigrant Support Programme with IrishCentral and explained why the Irish government continues to financially support its emigrant community: "For the here and now, a lot of Irish people, elderly people abroad, they need support. Because they supported Ireland over the years.
"There's a famous thing, the emigrants always used to send money home. And now, that flow of income doesn't happen because it's not required anymore, and that's really good.
"But those people who did all that, they're elderly now and we have an obligation, a duty, to support them, which we do."
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