Funding of more than €120,000 was today announced to aid community and voluntary organisations promote awareness of poverty and social exclusion.
The funding is being provided to 43 groups to mark European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, which aims to give a voice to people experiencing poverty and challenge the idea that tackling poverty is a cost to society.
EC director in Ireland, Martin Territt, said: "The guiding principle of the year is to give voice to the concerns of people who have to live with poverty and social exclusion, and to inspire every European citizen and other stakeholders to engage with these important issues.”
Announcing the funding, Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív said the initiatives being provided with grants include sporting activities, local radio broadcasting campaigns, seminars, art and photographic exhibitions, and education and information schemes.
“These activities will involve people experiencing poverty and will, for wider society, raise awareness of the European Year and poverty and social exclusion issues.”
Among the organisations receiving funding are the Irish Wheelchair Association, Cork Centre for Independent Living, Mental Health Ireland, Kildare Town Youth Project, Kerry Travellers Development Project and Moville Family Resource Centre.
More than 580 applications for funding were received from organisations throughout the country.