On 4 December Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy announced the beneficiaries of the Ireland Against Racism Fund 2025. Thirty-seven NGOs and community organisations will share €1.54 million to deliver nationwide and regional projects that tackle racism, build intercultural skills, and improve the employability of migrants. Grants of up to €100,000 were awarded under Scheme A, with smaller community grants under Scheme B.
Programme highlights include “Empower to Employ,” a national job-readiness scheme run by AkiDwA, and the Immigrant Council of Ireland’s expansion of the “Show Racism the Red Card” campaign into workplaces and schools. Several recipients focus on training HR professionals to recognise and address bias—an issue of growing importance for multinationals managing diverse workforces. Projects will also produce multilingual resources on employment rights, a boon for assignees’ family members seeking local jobs.
![Ireland Against Racism Fund awards €1.5 m to 37 projects supporting migrant integration and employability]()
Why it matters for mobility: A welcoming social environment is a key factor in assignment success. Surveys by the Global Business Travel Association show that perceived discrimination can be a deal-breaker when persuading senior talent to relocate. By funding practical anti-racism initiatives—ranging from youth programmes to employer training—the government signals its commitment to social cohesion, helping companies pitch Ireland as an inclusive destination.
Integration-related funding also supports the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR), which includes measures to streamline recognition of overseas qualifications—a critical barrier for trailing spouses. Although qualification recognition is outside the scope of the Fund, many grantees plan to partner with further-education institutes, indirectly easing skill shortages.
Next steps: Projects must commence in Q1 2026 and produce impact reports within 12 months. Employers interested in supporting local initiatives can contact the Department of Justice for partnership opportunities or volunteer programmes, which can reinforce corporate ESG goals. The Department has indicated that a 2026 call for proposals will open in July next year, subject to budget approval.
Programme highlights include “Empower to Employ,” a national job-readiness scheme run by AkiDwA, and the Immigrant Council of Ireland’s expansion of the “Show Racism the Red Card” campaign into workplaces and schools. Several recipients focus on training HR professionals to recognise and address bias—an issue of growing importance for multinationals managing diverse workforces. Projects will also produce multilingual resources on employment rights, a boon for assignees’ family members seeking local jobs.
Why it matters for mobility: A welcoming social environment is a key factor in assignment success. Surveys by the Global Business Travel Association show that perceived discrimination can be a deal-breaker when persuading senior talent to relocate. By funding practical anti-racism initiatives—ranging from youth programmes to employer training—the government signals its commitment to social cohesion, helping companies pitch Ireland as an inclusive destination.
Integration-related funding also supports the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR), which includes measures to streamline recognition of overseas qualifications—a critical barrier for trailing spouses. Although qualification recognition is outside the scope of the Fund, many grantees plan to partner with further-education institutes, indirectly easing skill shortages.
Next steps: Projects must commence in Q1 2026 and produce impact reports within 12 months. Employers interested in supporting local initiatives can contact the Department of Justice for partnership opportunities or volunteer programmes, which can reinforce corporate ESG goals. The Department has indicated that a 2026 call for proposals will open in July next year, subject to budget approval.
