It is open to adult learning initiatives that support people to be included in and contribute to social and cultural life in their local communities.
Here are the nominees:
Fáilte Isteach: a project of Third Age – Third Age / Fáilte Isteach
Fáilte Isteach is a national, volunteer-led initiative that offers free conversational English classes to migrants and refugees across Ireland, with over 300 groups actively working in 26 counties. At its core, Fáilte Isteach is dedicated to promoting social inclusion by breaking down language and cultural barriers, creating a space where individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together and connect. It nurtures confidence and connection, empowering participants to engage more fully in daily life, employment, and social activities. Fáilte Isteach champions social inclusion by addressing the critical need for language skills among migrants and refugees, empowering them to connect and thrive within their communities. In 2023, over 21,000 learners attended Fáilte Isteach classes, benefiting from a welcoming, supportive environment where language and cultural skills are key. Learners come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, including International Protection Applicants, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, Programme Refugees, and economic migrants from both EU and non-EU countries. Learners often progress to further education, training, and employment, enhancing both personal and economic well-being.
Ethnic Hands on Deck – Saoirse
Saoirse Ethic Hands in Deck, founded in 2021, is a social enterprise founded and led by migrant women in Cork, with a mission to empower women, particularly those navigating the unique challenges of direct provision and asylum-seeking processes in Ireland. Our three-year Mná Employment Program, which began in September 2023, provides pathways to sustainable employment and build confidence through training, personal development, and psychosocial support. The initiative helps migrant women facing limited work opportunities and complex regulations. It addresses skill-building needs while empowering women to reach economic independence and personal resilience. By fostering community connections, supporting mental well-being, and enhancing economic prospects, Saoirse EHD enables migrant women to thrive both within their local communities and the broader Irish society.
Cultúr – Cultúr Migrants Centre and Meath Council of Trade Unions
Cultúr Migrants Centre is a migrant-led organisation with more than 20 years of experience working with migrant workers, international protection applicants, and migrant workers in the Midland. Their mission is to promote the empowerment, participation, self-determination, and rights of those who experience or are at risk of poverty, social exclusion, and racism. This project has provided Conversational English Classes for more than 1500 migrant workers and refugees. We established classes in Duleek, Ratoath, Ardee and Dundalk. From the English classes, we invited migrant leaders to participate in our capacity-building programme and formed and trained 20 new migrant leaders in three years. These leaders have worked with local service providers and raised awareness in relation to migrant integration. Given its focus on migrants’ rights, Cultúr provides much needed advice to migrant workers on their rights and access to redress. This service is strengthened by Cultúr’s strong networking with local trade union personnel and the Meath Council of Trade Unions.
Great To Train – Cork Simon and Cork Education and Training Board
Since 2019, the “Great to Train” (GTT) initiative, funded by Cork ETB and led by Cork Simon, has focused on building personal and work-related skills for individuals accessing homeless services in Cork. GTT’s structure revolves around two main areas: “Work-Related Training and Skills Development” and “Therapy and Learning.” These activities provide adults experiencing, at risk of, or transitioning out of homelessness with valuable opportunities that enhance personal effectiveness, well-being, and job readiness. By supporting access to training and employment, the initiative aims to create sustainable routes out of homelessness and empower participants to make lasting, positive changes in their lives. Some participants progress to employment in areas like construction, hospitality, and security, cleaning, and maintenance services. GTT adopts a unique, trauma-informed approach, blending employment training with therapeutic learning to address both personal and professional needs. They collaborate with various homeless services in Cork to maximize reach and impact. This ensures broad access for those often furthest from the education and training system. Many learners experience transformative change, gaining confidence, self-worth, and resilience, which fosters a more inclusive, connected community.
Transformative Journeys for Traveller Women – Laois Offaly Education and Training Board
This programme empowers parents or carers who have experienced cumulative trauma, resulting in being ostracised or denied access to educational and societal opportunities. The programme over is conducted for 11 weeks. Topics covered include relational and developmental trauma, attachment styles, the impact of toxic stress upon the body and brain, the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences, emotional regulation and self-care. The programme nurtures self-compassion, both for the child they once were, for their own parents, and for the young people they are parenting. Through this self-compassion, the impact of the group is intergenerational. This was particularly powerful within this group as it encouraged reflection on the ‘old ways’ of Traveller life, when life was perhaps simpler, people were nomadic, and coercive interference was deemed less intrusive. Key components include an introductory evening, an end-of-course evaluation, and a celebration night that highlights the Adult Guidance Services available, providing opportunities to network and build relationships with LOETB Guidance and Adult Literacy staff. Over the course of the programme, participants unravelled some of the issues contributing to their social exclusion and committed to seeking social inclusion through tangible skills gained from further education. As a direct outcome, seven participants enrolled on certified QQI courses with LOETB, marking a significant step towards their goals. The programme shows the transformative power of community collaboration and learner-centered education. This was a pioneering initiative with a group of Irish Traveller women. Lives, punctuated by trauma, alienation, higher rates of suicide and cumulative loss were contextualised not as mere ‘private troubles’, but as public issues. This impact of the structures of lived discrimination was linked to the learner’s experiences of the educational system. The limitations imposed by others upon these women were unpicked. In many ways, these women found their voices and sense of agency, for themselves and their own children.
Welcome English Language Centre – WELC
Over the last 23 years WELC, through the endeavours of an almost elusive volunteer staff cohort, has been pivotal in supporting new arrivals to our shores find their way in their new communities. For students who have experienced homeland displacement, WELC provides a place of comfort and hope that they will find social integration a little easier by acquiring a new language in addition to forming new friendships. Their “global kitchen” offers a warm inviting space between classes for all to sit and chat and share their experiences, hopes, and dreams. Through the Family Reunification process, WELC has facilitated inter-generational learning as former students’ children avail of lifelong learning opportunities. Many of their past students have reported improved confidence on the language and social fronts, have become established business people, medical staff, qualified chefs, barbers, beauticians, special needs assistants and managers, among other roles. In 2023, there were 35 different nationalities included in WELC student population. They also encourages students to introduce their parents to the centre, where they can avail of tailored classes and meet other learners in similar circumstances. There is a high level of referrals by past students of parents, children, family members, and friends. Many former learners return to encourage and support current students. WELC continues to be responsive and adaptive to the emerging needs of the local community.
About the Festival
The Adult Learners’ Festival, happening this year from 3rd to 7th March 2025, is a nationwide celebration of adult learning. This year’s theme is “Connecting Communities”. Adult and community education is the bridge that connects communities across the island of Ireland. Visit this page for more details about the Festival
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For more information, contact alf@aontas.com
