Minister O’Gorman announces 2022 LGBTI+ Community Services Funding Call with new ‘core support’ element

€900,000 is being made available to applicant groups, operating at national, regional and local level, to support community services and promote visibility and inclusion of LGBTI+ people
funding basis will now include a ‘core support’ feature which will enable LGBTI+ NGOs to maintain and enhance existing services and initiatives
funding aims to promote inclusion, protect rights and to improve quality of life and wellbeing for LGBTI+ people in Ireland
grant scheme is open to applications from existing LGBTI+ non-government organisations and community organisations working with LGBTI+ people

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today announced that applications can now be made for funding from the LGBTI+ Community Services fund.

The 2022 LGBTI+ Community Services Funding Call is an important element in supporting the implementation of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy, which was published on 28 November 2019, and complements the National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy published in June 2018.

Based on feedback and discussions with a number of NGOs, Minister O’Gorman has expanded scheme A to include a ‘core support’ model. Scheme A will remain open for larger style projects but will also be open to applications from existing LGBTI+ NGOs for funding to maintain and enhance existing services and initiatives. This will assist these organisations build capacity and maintain existing and well-established LGBTI+ supports.

Announcing the fund, Minister O’Gorman said:

“The funding announced today coincides with Pride celebrations and recognises the need for greater access to LGBTI+ services right across Ireland. For the past 2 years the funding call has provided vital funding to many organisations across the country and I am pleased to see this continue. It will help improve the quality of life for LGBTI+ people and ensure they are supported in realising their rights.”

The Minister continued:

“Recognising that a particular challenge for LGBTI+_ NGOs has been the ability to plan to undertake longer-term projects and initiatives, this year the funding basis will change to now include a new ‘core support’ element. I hope this improvement will encourage new and innovative ideas coming forward that will further improve access to services for LGBTI+ people, irrespective of their age or where they live.

“Key actions for my department include maintaining the funding and capacity of LGBTI+ community services, as well as measures to ensure that community development infrastructure more broadly is both inclusive and welcoming to LGBTI+ people.”

There are 2 streams of funding:

Scheme A will continue to support new initiatives but will also be open to applications from existing LGBTI+ NGOs for funding to maintain and enhance existing services and initiatives. This will assist these organisations build capacity and maintain existing and well-established LGBTI+ supports.
Scheme B will provide small grants to organisations for projects that promote visibility and inclusion of LGBTI+ persons.

All applications must be submitted electronically.

Applications for funding will remain open until 3pm on Wednesday 20 July 2022. Groups can access a detailed guidance document and complete an online application form at the following links:

Scheme A –

LGBTI Funding Open Call 2022 Scheme A

Scheme B –

LGBTI Funding Open Call 2022 Scheme B

Notes

Applications for Funding will be assessed according to the following criteria:

strategic fit and achieving the goals of the Scheme, including how the proposed project would benefit LGBTI+ people in rural areas
strength of proposal, including how the planned activities will improve services and meet the current unmet needs of the LGBTI+ community
capacity of applicant organisation to deliver work programme, including whether the applicant organisation has a history of working with the LGBTI+ Community and track record on delivering specific programmes related to supporting the LGBTI+ Community
financial management and value for money