Applications sought to support projects through €100,000 fund

A HUGELY successful fund, set up to support the community through the creation of different projects and initiatives, is now seeking new applications.

The Tallaght Fund is accepting applications for ideas which will benefit and have an impact on the local community, after a successful first year.

Last year, entrepreneur and philanthropist Ed Dunne, who grew up in Kingswood Heights, established the €100k Tallaght Fund.

The aim of the Tallaght Fund, which is being managed in Tallaght, is to support the community in creating innovative, sustainable and inclusive grassroots projects.

The annual €100k fund is being delivered by the Síol Foundation, which, founded by Ed, offers sustainable support to social entrepreneurs, community projects and social enterprises nationwide.

Applicants are being asked to send a two-minute video on WhatsApp about their idea/project with contact details as the video caption to 089 424 3566.

Anyone applying for a grant needs to state which of the five different grant categories, €1k, €5k, €10k, €20k and €25k, they are seeking – with up to three grant categories applicable per person.

After this, Síol will complete an application review and contact applicants about the next steps.

In last years initiative, there were 13 projects which included a school music programme in Brookfield, film workshops, and a youth mentor programme in Killinarden, awarded funding.

Killinarden Community School received the highest allocation through the fund, attracting €25,000 after collaborating with author and university lecturer, Dr Bran Pennie, a resident of Citywest.

Part of their project was focused around helping senior cycle students by providing supports through a pilot youth mentorship programme called Misneach, which is Irish for courage.

Down the other end of the scale, €1,000 was awarded to provide fairy trails in local parks while €6,000 was awarded to Helping Hands Tallaght, a support phoneline for senior citizens.