Taken from:https://www.pobal.ie/the-kickstart-fund-supported-by-the-dormant-accounts-fund-and-the-probation-service-is-now-open-for-applications-from-social-enterprises/
The Probation Service and Pobal announce the launch of the Dormant Accounts Funded ‘KickStart’ Start-up, Development and/or Job Creation Fund
- As part of the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) Action Plan for 2020, applications are invited from Social Enterprises, which aim to enhance the development and creation of employment opportunities for people with criminal convictions.
- The Fund will be administered by Pobal.
A budget of €1m has been approved for the Probation Service measure to research or enhance greater employment opportunities in the social enterprise sector for those with a criminal conviction who find it difficult to access the labour market, supported by the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) Action Plan for 2020.
Welcoming the announcement, the Minister for Justice and Equality Charles Flanagan T.D. said:
“I welcome this initiative as part of my Department’s new Social Enterprise strategy. This strategy will hopefully lead to greater employment opportunities for those who have found a way out of a life of crime and wish to re-enter the workforce. These rehabilitative measures benefit society as a whole.”
Social Enterprises provide key services and supports in communities throughout the country. Their core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact.
This call for applications under the ‘KickStart’ Start-up, Development and/or Job Creation Fund from Social Enterprises will enable them to explore and research the potential for expanding and developing their work in this area and maximising their social impact.
The Probation Service, on behalf of the Department of Justice & Equality, works to protect the public and create safer communities by assisting offenders to desist from committing further crime.
With this in mind, the funding of €1m for the ‘KickStart’ Start-up, Development and/or Job Creation Fund will enable organisations to conduct a feasibility study/market research or to undertake enhancements that will develop greater employment opportunities for individuals who have a criminal past.
The KickStart fund was developed jointly by the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service, and forms a key part of the Department of Justice and Equality’s Social Enterprise Strategy, ‘A New Way Forward’. The funding is being provided from the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Pobal will administer Round 2 of the KickStart Start-up, Development and/or Job Creation Fund. Eligible Social Enterprises can apply for one grant only under either the Job Creation Fund Strand or the Feasibility Study/Market Research Strand.
Application forms and application guidelines will be available on Monday 20th January on the Dormant Accounts Fund, How to apply page of Pobal’s website.
The deadline for submission of online applications and supporting documentation is 3pm on February 20th 2020.
For queries in relation to applications under this Fund, please contact Pobal on:
