Galway-based ‘Amplifying Rural Women’s Voices’ has been announced as one of six successful recipients of the inaugural Mná na hÉireann, Women of Ireland Fund.
The €1.8 million Fund is the first of its kind in Ireland to support charitable and social enterprise organisations that seek to enhance the economic mobility of women.
The announcement was made by Minister of State for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development, Seán Canney TD at a special event held in Smock Alley in Dublin.
Galway based ‘Amplifying Rural Women’s Voices’ provides blended learning to women living in rural areas, combining workshops, a co-operative learning environment, online and outreach delivery, in partnership with communities. The programme is run by EQUAL Ireland.
The six inspiring Awardees, which include projects that support single-parent women, refugees and transgender women were chosen from over 70 applications. Each submission went through a rigorous application and interview process to ensure they met the criteria and high standards set out for the Fund and its Awardees.
The other successful Mná na hÉireann, Women of Ireland Fund Awardees are: Women’s Education Programme (An Cosán VVC), Dress for Success Dublin, Integration from Day One (Irish Refugee Council), Amplifying Rural Women’s Voices (EQUAL Ireland) and Super Women (Transgender Equality Network Ireland).
In addition to grant funding, the six successful Awardees will also receive a place on an Accelerator Programme, which includes bespoke training and mentoring by experts from across the private, non-profit and public sector.
Dublin-based employees of Bank of America will be part of the mentoring team and they will also provide further tailored training to the successful organisations.
The Accelerator Programme is specifically designed to equip charities and social enterprises with the skills to expand their business knowledge, drive growth and strengthen their impact across Ireland.
Nuala Keher, Joint Executive Director for EQUAL Ireland said: “We’re over the moon to be an awardee of this fantastic fund.
“This announcement means that EQUAL Ireland will reach a critical mass that should result in real positive change, not only for EQUAL Ireland, as an organisation, but perhaps more importantly, for the development and increased participation of hundreds of women in leadership roles in Ireland’s communities, as we say ‘Amplifying Rural Women’s Voices’.”
Announcing the winners, Minister of State, Seán Canney TD, said: “I’m delighted to join Social Innovation Fund Ireland and Bank of America in announcing the six Awardees for the Mná na hÉireann, Women of Ireland Fund.
“The Department of Rural and Community Development is also very proud to be a partner of this fantastic initiative which is co-funded through the Dormant Accounts Funds.
“I want to wish them all the very best for their future endeavours and I look forward to seeing the even greater things they will achieve with the support of Social Innovation Fund Ireland and Bank of America.”
