Monday, 14 October 2024. The People’s Impact Fund, a collaborative initiative by Rethink Ireland, Deloitte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development, is now accepting applications for its €500,000 fund aimed at empowering young adults through enhanced employability skills and employment facilitation. This one-year fund is designed to promote equitable access to employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth across Ireland.
With youth unemployment in Ireland standing at 12% as of Q2 2024, significantly higher than the overall unemployment rate of 4.6%, the need for targeted support is critical. The People’s Impact Fund aims to bridge this gap by funding innovative non-profit projects that equip young people aged 15-30 with the necessary skills to thrive in today’s job market.
By investing in the future of our young people, we are not only
addressing unemployment but also responding to the pressing skills shortages
within our labour market,
said Harry Goddard, CEO of Deloitte Ireland
We are proud to collaborate with Rethink Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development to make a tangible difference in our communities.
This fund supports our WorldClass ambition to equip 300,000 people in Ireland, especially our young people, with the skills they’ll need for the challenges of tomorrow, it will be incredibly exciting to see what projects apply.
Lorraine Griffin, Chairperson and Social Impact Partner for Deloitte Ireland.
The fund will provide cash grants and comprehensive business supports to up to four selected projects that tackle various challenges faced by young adults from marginalised communities. These challenges include:
Rethink Ireland’s CEO Deirdre Mortell emphasised the importance of this initiative:
The People’s Impact Fund is a vital step towards ensuring that all young people in Ireland have access to the resources they need to succeed. We believe that with the right support, every young adult can find their path to meaningful employment.
Applications are now open for eligible non-profit organisations across the country. Find out more information and apply at www.rethinkireland.ie
Key Highlights:
Notes to editor
Spokespeople from Rethink Ireland are available for media interviews.
Deloitte’s WorldClass ambition
Social Impact at Deloitte is driven by our WorldClass ambition to reach 100 million people globally (300,000 in Ireland) by 2030 through programs and partnerships with leading educational organisations. To achieve this ambition we invest our people's time, provide volunteers, and donate to support thousands of students, teachers, and education leaders each year.
About Rethink Ireland
Rethink Ireland provides cash grants and business support to charities and social enterprises working in Irish communities across the country. These are the organisations not just thinking differently but also putting their ideas into practice and building a more just, equal and sustainable Ireland. We work with companies, families, individuals, foundations and the Irish Government who understand that new thinking in Ireland is needed.
Since our first year of operations in 2016, we have created a €109 million social innovation fund. Through these public-private partnerships, we create funds tackling issues such as inequality and educational disadvantage. The €109 million fund has reached over one million people, launched 58 funds, backing 448 innovative projects, supporting 137,134 learners, creating 998 jobs in the non-profit sector and supporting 3,309 people into employment. For more about Rethink Ireland, please visit www.rethinkireland.ie
About Deloitte
At Deloitte, we make an impact that matters for our clients, our people, our profession, and in the wider society by delivering the solutions and insights they need to address their most complex business challenges.
As the largest global professional services and consulting network, with approximately 457,000 professionals in more than 150 countries, we bring world-class capabilities and high-quality services to our clients.
In Ireland, Deloitte has approximately 3,000 people providing audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Our people have the leadership capabilities, experience and insight to collaborate with clients so they can move forward with confidence.
In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte Ireland LLP. The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press. Deloitte Ireland LLP is the Ireland affiliate of Deloitte NSE LLP, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”). DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL and Deloitte NSE LLP do not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.
Media Contact(s):
Declan Jackson
Deloitte Ireland Communications
dejackson@deloitte.ie
+353 1417 3522
Georgina Francis
Deloitte Ireland Communications
gefrancis@deloitte.ie
+353 1584 5459