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Overview of the Emigrant Support Programme

Please read this before completing and submitting an application form

The Irish Government Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) is a tangible expression of the Government’s support, commitment to, and interest in, Global Irish communities. Strengthening connections with Irish communities abroad and promoting links with Irish people and people of Irish ancestry worldwide is also a key objective of the Department of Foreign Affairs. These communities are made up of Irish emigrants, their descendants, those living abroad who share and celebrate an Irish heritage identity and global links with Ireland.

Central to achieving this objective is the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which is administered by the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, in partnership with Irish Embassies and Consulates abroad.

Through the ESP, the Government provides financial support to organisations engaged in the delivery of front line advisory services and community care to Irish emigrants, particularly to the more vulnerable and marginalised members of our community abroad, including the elderly. In addition, the ESP also facilitates Irish Government investment in a range of cultural, community and heritage projects, which foster a vibrant sense of Irish community and identity, as well as strategic capital projects.

Since its inception in 2004, the Emigrant Support Programme has assisted over 530 organisations in some 37 countries with grants totalling over €220 million. Grants have ranged from small amounts for grass-roots groups, to major allocations awarded to voluntary and community organisations operating on a large scale. In 2022 alone, there were 529 project applications from 36 countries requesting almost €23 million worth of funding for the Programme's €12.593 million budget.

Priorities and Objectives of ESP – Is your project eligible?

The Emigrant Support Programme prioritises projects which align with the objectives of the Government’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025, with a particular focus this year on Pillar 1 of the Strategy - “Our People”.

These would include new and innovative projects which protect the dignity, well-being and welfare of Irish emigrants, strengthen ties with our diaspora and reach out to engage with those who are less connected to our existing networks, including digital initiatives, new ways of building connections and support for the vulnerable.

We will also, of course, continue to welcome applications which align with any of the other pillars of the Strategy.

Criteria for grant aid

Applicant organisations should be established as registered charities, charitable bodies or voluntary/not for profit organisations and will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • the need for the project
  • beneficiaries in the Irish community (including second and later generations), including their needs and vulnerabilities
  • the impact of the project based on clear expected outputs and outcomes
  • partnerships with other statutory, voluntary and ESP-funded organisations to maximise service delivery to vulnerable Irish people
  • how the outcomes will contribute to the achievement of ESP’s objectives
  • the capacity of the organisation to deliver the project
  • the total project cost and value for money offered
  • what funding has been secured from other sources for the project
  • the monitoring and evaluation systems in place to measure the outcomes for target beneficiaries
  • commitment to good governance and best practice throughout the organisation (including e.g. financial management, fundraising strategy, inclusion policies and staff training and development)

Categories of Funding

All funding decisions are based on the information submitted in the official application form, which must be submitted online. No hard copy application forms will be accepted.

The categories under which ESP can be applied for are as follows;

  • Heritage - Project involving the promotion and maintenance of Irish heritage and identity overseas.
  • Welfare (Elderly) - Projects that are specifically targeted at the older members of the Irish community.
  • Welfare (Other)- Projects involving the provision of front-line welfare services including advisory, counselling, information and outreach services to Irish communities.
  • Business Networks - Projects to support Irish business networks or other Irish professional networks overseas.
  • Capital - Projects involving the construction, refurbishment or purchase of capital assets.  This includes projects related to website development and large digital/software projects. 

Organisations are permitted to make applications in more than one category.

Principles governing recipients of Irish Government funding

The ESP is funded through taxpayer’s money and is therefore public funding. The highest levels of transparency and accountability will be applied. As part of this we require reports on the impacts and the success of projects funded as well as financial reports.

In line with regulations governing the receipt of grants from the Irish Government, all grantees must:

Clarity

Set out clearly the objectives, inputs and outputs of their funding spend:

  • Show clearly that funding was spent only for the business purposes for which it was provided
  • Seek clarification from the grantor where necessary – on use of funds, governance and accountability arrangements

Governance

Ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place for oversight and administration of funding:

  • control and safeguarding of funds from misuse, misappropriation and fraud
  • accounting records which can provide, at any time, reliable financial information on the purpose, application and balance remaining of the public funding
  • Accounting for the amount and source of the funding, its application and outputs/outcomes

Value for money

Be in a position to provide evidence on:

  • effective use of funds
  • value achieved in the application of funds
  • avoidance of waste and extravagance

Fairness

Manage public funds with the highest degree of honesty and integrity:

  • Act in a manner which complies with relevant laws and obligations (e.g. tax, minimum wages)
  • Procure goods and services in a fair and transparent manner
  • Act fairly, responsibly and openly in dealings with the Grantor

Additional Points to Note

It is recognised that it may not be possible to immediately begin a project which has been approved for funding. However, it is expected that the project will have commenced within six months of receipt of the grant. Irish Government accounting practices require the money to be used for the approved purpose within the same funding year. 

The Funding year runs from 1st July 2023 until the 30th June 2024.

Grant aid not used in accordance with the terms and conditions specified by the Irish Government must be repaid in full. If a grant has been awarded towards funding for a staffing position and a vacancy arises in that position during the funding year, organisations should expect a clawback for the period the position was unfilled.

If you have questions about whether your project is suitable for ESP funding please contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate or contact us by email.

We look forward to working with you in 2023 to deliver tangible benefits for Irish communities, wherever in the world they may be.                                       

Irish Abroad Unit
Department of Foreign Affairs
January 2023

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