Ireland for Ukraine Fund: A year of delivering vital support
The Ireland for Ukraine Fund, launched by leading media outlets, has for a year been delivering essential support to men, women and children whose lives have been changed forever by the war in Ukraine. As of 5th April 2023, the Fund is closing for public donations and encouraging people to continue their huge generosity directly to Ireland’s international aid agencies and local charities in Ireland.
The Fund has been supported by a unique coalition of print, broadcast and digital media, both national and local, to raise awareness and generate support for people living in conflict in Eastern Europe and those who are seeking the shelter and safety of communities here.
A full list of participating media is available here.
Through a combination of public donations, Government support and philanthropic giving through Community Foundation Ireland, nearly €7.5 million has been raised.
In addition to media coverage, national events such as the All-Ireland Finals, FA Internationals and a special Concert for Ukraine at the National Concert Hall were all used to raise awareness and public support. Community Foundation Ireland also received direct donations from community events in schools, places of work and at sporting clubs in every part of the country.
The €5.6m raised directly through the Ireland for Ukraine Fund was distributed equally between humanitarian supports in Ukraine and the surrounding countries, and meeting the needs of Ukrainians and communities here in Ireland. A further €1.7 million was raised via private philanthropic donations towards this work, which will be used for targeted supports across the year ahead.
Emergency aid totalling more than €2.8 Million has been dedicated to supporting International Charity Partners: the Irish Red Cross, Concern, Trócaire and UNICEF Ireland. The fund also dedicated over €2.8m to support the many community organisations and charities within Ireland who were working to meet urgent and essential needs of people arriving here. 115 grants were made to ensure people arriving had food, toiletries and clothing, and access to provide essential mental health and community integration supports.
A full list of the grants awarded from the Ireland for Ukraine Fund can be found here:
Acknowledging the outpouring of generosity Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said:
“On behalf of all the charity partners and all who have benefitted I want to thank the media partners, the Government of Ireland and most importantly the Irish public for this coming together. In addition to the funds raised the levels of awareness raising and education about the humanitarian crisis has been unprecedented in an Irish context – this could not have been achieved without the support of media brands which are the trusted source of news and information across the country.
Every person in Ireland was made aware and they responded. We see the continuing legacy of the Ireland for Ukraine Fund with the generosity continuing into the second year of war. Donations now continue directly to all charity partners.
With the media partners we will look at the experience of Ireland for Ukraine to see how this experience can be used in responding to future emergencies.”