Sustainable Cork Fund Launch

The fund of €200,000 is the outcome of a Cork Chamber funding drive to raise €100,000 through the support of the Cork business community last year, which has been match funded from the Department of Rural and Community Development Dormant Accounts Fund. Sustainab le Cork fund launched Cork Chamber, in partnership, with Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI), has proudly launched the Sustainable Cork Fund.

Cork is growing. We have a city region that is home to innovative companies and entrepreneurs all creating the value that drives our economy. A strong economy is crucial, as are vibrant communities, and a quality of life that works for its citizens. As a Chamber, we have a platform that unites, driving strong collaborations and positive action, bringing the business community together. The launch of the Sustainable Cork Fund is a perfect example of what a strong business community can achieve, and we hope that is will be transformational in supporting new initiatives that strengthen Cork’s social, environmental or economic sustainability and resilience.

The Sustainable Cork Fund will have sustainability at its core, in line with the Chamber’s commitment to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Five specific goals have been identified by the Chamber Network which we are actively advocating for throughout our work, and these are reflected in our application criteria, which look for projects with an impact in the following areas:

Climate action and environmental awareness: increasing sustainability, climate change education, increasing efforts in recycling, the circular economy, green production and waste awareness, etc.

Conor Healy, CEO and Paula Cogan, President of Cork Chamber with Deirdre Mortell, CEO of Social Innovation Fund lreland launching the Sustainable Cork Fund.

marginalised and vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, people in minority ethnic groups, etc.

Sustainable employment and economic development: supporting good quality jobs for all, strengthening Cork’s business environment sustainably and increasing localised economic development. legal form e.g. charity, voluntary organisation, etc.

Sustainable Cork Criteria • Projects focus on the environment, social inclusion and/or economic empowerment of their communities • Projects that have a direct and sustained impact on the economy in Cork city or county • Projects have a strong research and evidence base

What kind of projects can apply? Projects must meet the criteria set by both SIFI and the Sustainable Cork Fund. These are:

SI FI Core Criteria • The project must address a critical social or environmental issue. • The project proposed must be innovative in an Irish context. • The project must be based on the island of Ireland and must make its’ main impact in the Republic of Ireland. • The project must have the potential and desire to scale or replicate in Ireland. • The project must provide evidence that it is up and running, or has been tested at least in a minimal way • Applicants must come from an entity that has a ‘not for profit’

Advantageous Criteria: • Projects that work with communities and groups experiencing socio-economic • disadvantage or geographic isolation • Projects that have outcomes in two or more of the following areas will have an advantage: environmental, social inclusion and economic empowerment

New and established not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises across Cork can apply for funding for projects that are innovative and address a critical social issue. The application deadline is Friday 3 April and applications must be made online: www.socialinnovation.ie/ sustainable-cork-fund/