Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy announces fund to support the integration and employment of people who have moved here as migrants
- Published on: 31 July 2025
- Last updated on: 31 July 2025
- up to €2.7 million available under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme
- fund is open to non-government and community organisations providing projects to increase the employability of people who moved here as migrants
- fund helps people overcome barriers to employment including language difficulties, lack of training or social exclusion
The Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy today announced funding of up to €2.7 million for projects that aim to increase the integration and employability of people who have moved here as migrants. Funding is being made available under the Integration and Employment of Migrants action of the Employment, Inclusion, Skills & Training (EIST) Programme 2021-2027. The Programme is jointly funded by the European Union, through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), and the Government of Ireland.
Announcing the fund, Minister Brophy said:
“I am very pleased to announce that regional and national organisations can now apply for funding through the Employability, Inclusion, Skills and Training Programme.
“People who move here as migrants bring skills and experience that are much needed in the current labour market. However, some people may find it difficult to find employment because of language difficulties, lack of training or social exclusion.
“The projects that will receive funding through this initiative will play a vital role in equipping people with the skills to overcome these obstacles and increase their employment opportunities.”
Organisations can apply for funding for projects supporting:
- EEA Nationals who are resident in Ireland;
- Third Country Nationals with permission to enter employment in Ireland, including people who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection fleeing the war in Ukraine
The funding will support a small number of significant projects and €200,000 is the minimum grant that can be applied for.
All applications must be submitted by email to iem@justice.ie.
Applications for funding will remain open until noon on Thursday 11 September.
Further information and the application form are available online at gov.ie.
Notes
Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- strength of proposal
- strategic fit and achieving the goals of the Integration and Employment of Migrants activity of the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021-2027
- capacity of applicant organisation to deliver work programme
- value for money
Previous successful projects
In Donegal, People 1sts “MEAS - Migrant Employment, Advice & Support” project, works within communities to recruit 225 eligible migrants. These participants are assigned experienced mentors to work with them to reach their potential through various skills assessment and training. The project fosters active inclusion with a view to promoting equal opportunities, non-discrimination and active participation, and improving employability, in particular for disadvantaged groups.
In Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Galway, Westmeath, Longford and Laois, DORAS’ - “Gateway to Employment for Third Country Nationals” project, works with migrants and employers to overcome some of the most significant barriers to employment faced by migrants in Ireland including language barriers, lack of local work experience and limited social networks.
In Dublin and around the country, Business in the Community Ireland’s (BITCI) “EPIC Programme” supports participants to progress into employment and employment related training including mentorships, and volunteering. Participants receive tailored supports including group employability and integration training, career counselling and psychosocial support. They also receive in-work supports when starting employment including IT skills training, workshops, networking opportunities and access to ringfenced roles within BITCI member companies.