Fund Overview  

The Skills for Tomorrow Fund is a €1.5 million, 2.5 year fund supported by Deloitte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) via the Dormant Accounts fund.    

The Skills for Tomorrow Fund aims to support innovative, evidence-based projects that build the capacity of individuals and communities experiencing marginalisation to thrive in the future world of work.  

It will fund initiatives that provide practical, accessible and relevant pathways to employment while addressing the root causes of disadvantage and promoting inclusive economic participation.  

There are two strands to the fund: one strand supporting youth-focused projects and another strand supporting adult-focused projects. 

We see opportunities for social innovations to achieve greater impact by using artificial intelligence to generate operational efficiencies and to embrace data-driven decision making. This fund will also support awardees to explore and optimise their use of artificial intelligence to extend and maximise their impact.  

The fund offers a package of cash grants and non-financial supports over 2.5 years for up to five projects, to help them expand and increase their social impact. 

This includes:

• A cash grant between €150,000 to €187,500 for each awarded project 

• A non-financial supports package per project including: 

• A place on Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Programme 

• Bespoke business and capacity-building supports designed in consultation with the successful projects on topics such as strategic planning, maximising your impact, communications, storytelling and fundraising. 

• Access to Rethink Ireland’s networks. 

* The Rethink Ireland Board will decide how much money to award, which may be less than the amount requested. The final amount of the award will depend on how many organisations are selected. 

You can apply to Skills for Tomorrow via the online portal until Monday, 29 June at 1pm. 

Want more information? Join one the application clinic on Monday 8 June. This one-hour webinar will provide information on fund eligibility and the application process and offer an opportunity to answer any questions you have.  

Register for the application clinic here:  

Monday, 8 June, 2.30-3.30pm: Register here

For any questions you may have, please contact [email protected]

Accessibility

We have tried to make the application process as accessible as possible, but we understand that there may still be some difficulties for applicants. If you have access needs or are struggling with the application form, please contact [email protected] 

You will need to download the following document to complete your online application:  

Skills for Tomorrow Fund Multi-Year Budget Template (compulsory)        

The following forms may also help you complete your application:   

Skills for Tomorrow Fund Application Form (for reference only)
Skills for Tomorrow Fund Webtext (downloadable version, for reference only)
Skills for Tomorrow Fund Management Accounts Template (if you do not already have management accounts)