There is new funding available through SOLAS to support public, community, voluntary, and non-profit groups and organisations to help people with all forms of literacy.
Literacy can refer not just to reading and writing, but also to knowledge or competence in a specific area or field, such as health, finance, or technology.
Now, €1 million is available to address unequal literacy opportunities for adults all across Ireland, with a max of €50,000 for each organisation.
The funding was announced this week by Simon Harris TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, who stated:
“We all want to live in an Ireland where every adult has the necessary skills to fully engage in society and realise their full potential.
This fund will help support organisations carry out vital work with people on financial, or health literacy, digital skills or how to read and write.
I strongly encourage all of these critically important groups and organisations around the country to apply for the €50,000 grants available. I am looking forward to seeing what exciting, rewarding and important work comes out of it.”
The aims of the new funding are to increase the number of adult learners engaging with literacy and language learning, and to help more people to be able to read and write, and to learn skills and knowledge in maths and using technology. The goal is to make access to education more open and available to everyone – regardless of their age or previous experiences.
We're encouraging our members to apply as it is a great opportunity to recognise and fund important work ongoing in community education, non-formal education, Further Education and Training, and Higher Education. The ALL Fund includes staff costs, venue hire, course and training materials, and tutor or facilitator costs.
Be creative with your project design and showcase the wonderful work that is taking place across the adult learning sector.
The fund is open to all public, non-profit, voluntary and community organisations across Ireland. You will need to complete an online application explaining which target group you will work with, and how your project idea would address their unmet literacy needs. You will also need to explain how you would spend the budget.
At least two organisations working in partnership is required to apply for the fund, with one organisation taking the lead.
Partnerships may include anyone working across Ireland’s diverse and wide-ranging support landscape, including those working in education, health, community development, literacy advocacy, NGOs, local government, civil society organisations and literacy-friendly services.
The maximum grant available is €50,000. There is no minimum amount that may be applied for. Successful projects will showcase collaboration, partnership, and meaningful literacy-awareness and learner-focused outcomes.
Closing date for application to the fund is 5pm on Friday, 14th April.