This first year of the Fund, €2.5 million will be made available to local authorities to implement opportunities for people with disabilities to partake in activities at local level and to remove barriers to community involvement.
- Grants of up to €80,000 will be allocated to local authorities to fund their own projects, or to support those of partner community organisations.
- The deadline for applications by local authorities is 3pm Monday 8th November.
Monday 18th October
The Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, Ms. Anne Rabbitte TD, today announced €2.5 million in funding under the first year of a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF).
The purpose of DPAF 2021 is to provide funding for Local Authorities across Ireland to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help remove barriers to community involvement, and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities.
A total of €2.5m will be made available in 2021 to Local Authorities to carry out projects in their local area. Grants under the Fund will be to a maximum of €80,000.
This funding can be used for both once-off initiatives and short to medium term projects. Projects and initiatives should promote the rights of people with disabilities by removing barriers to the participation of people with disabilities in their local communities, raising awareness of the UNCRPD, and increasing accessibility.
Local authorities can use this fund directly, or in partnership with local organisations, in order to carry out actions that will:
– Remove barriers to, and improve the accessibility of community life or community activities, for people with disabilities
– Provide funding to networks and clubs at local level to expand the involvement and participation of people with disabilities in their activities, promote awareness, understanding and implementation of the UNCRPD.
– Suupport disability capacity building within local authorities
Announcing the funding, Minister Rabbitte said:
I am delighted to announce the launch of the first Disability Participation and Awareness Fund and excited to see what initiatives can be progressed in this first year of the Fund. As Ireland continues its journey to full realisation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, action is required at every level of society. This Fund will help us reach people in their communities, improving their opportunities to participate more fully in local and everyday life.
I encourage local authorities across the country to consider what activities, projects and initiatives can be advanced through the Fund and to bring forward proposals and applications. Equally, I would encourage community organisations to explore what can be achieved in partnership with their local authorities.
It is my intention that we will build on and learn from this initial year of funding for future calls
Purpose of projects/activities
The Disability Participation and Awareness Fund 2021 is open to local authority applicants around key themes to support the participation and inclusion of disabled people in local communities:
- Participation in community life i.e. sports, the arts, community groups, and so forth;
- Accessible information and shared public places;
- UNCRPD Promotion; and
- Disability Awareness and Capacity Building.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted in 2006. Ireland signed the Convention in 2007 and ratified the Convention in 2018.
The purpose of the Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
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