This message sets out the basis on which Irish Aid promotes development education activities and is intended to clarify the likely parameters for support to be provided under the development education funding scheme next year.

Through Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs funds development education programmes to build public understanding of global development issues and to promote critical engagement with the Government’s aid programme. This support is channelled through strategic partnerships and through the Development Education Funding Scheme.  Priority areas for funding in this area are identified in Irish Aid’s Development Education Strategy 2007-2011 “Promoting public engagement for development”. A mid-term review of this strategy will be undertaken in 2010.

In advance of this review and in light of the pressures on the overseas development aid budget we expect to make one call for applications in 2010 for one-year projects under the scheme. In addition, we expect to provide for a one-year extension of funding to multi-annual partners who are in the final year of their programme. Given the current financial situation it would be prudent for organisations to anticipate that grants, including those awarded under the scheme in 2008 and 2009, could be reduced. Partner organisations should note this when planning and devising budgets for activities over the next year.

At this point, and subject to the availability of exchequer resources, funding for multi-annual programmes is likely to be renewed from 2011 onwards on the basis of priorities identified in the 2010 review.

Further details on the arrangements planned for 2010 are included on the following page. We would hope to be in a position to provide additional clarification as early as possible in 2010.  If you require information on any aspects of the development education funding scheme you should email the Development Education Unit in Irish Aid Headquarters in Limerick at developmenteducation@dfa.ie. 

If your organisation is currently in receipt of development education funding from Irish Aid you may wish to contact the relevant development education officer.

I hope that this assists in planning for development education activities in 2010 in an uncertain funding environment.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you every continued success with your programmes.

Austin Gormley
Public Information and Development Education Section
18 November 2009
 

Development Education Funding Scheme in 2010
Multi-annual programmes: Ahead of the completion of a mid-term review of Irish Aid’s Development Education Strategy in 2010, current multi-annual partners who are in the final year of their programme will be invited to submit an application for a one-year funding extension. These applications will be assessed on a competitive basis and will take into consideration the level of progress achieved against the objectives of current programmes.

Given the pressures on exchequer resources it would be prudent for organisations to anticipate that grants may be at a lower level than in previous years. This may also apply to multi-annual grants awarded in 2008 and 2009.

Irish Aid will communicate directly with its multi-annual partners to discuss ongoing support in 2010.

Research Grants: No new research grants will be awarded in 2010.The Development Education Advisory Committee (DEAC) is undertaking a study of development education research that will inform research priorities from 2011 onwards.

Annual Projects: It is intended to have one call for annual projects under the scheme next year. Applicants will be requested to indicate the start date of their project, either 1 April 2010 or 1 September 2010, to cater for the academic year. Funds will be disbursed to successful candidates accordingly. Awards to successful applicants will be between a minimum of €10,000 and a maximum of €50,000.

It is envisaged that the call for applications for annual projects will issue in January 2010.  Revised guidelines and an application form will be published on the Irish Aid website. Organisations in receipt of funding for a multi-annual programme will not be eligible to apply for annual funding under this call. Applicants will need to have a proven track record in development education.

Development Education Unit
Irish Aid
Riverstone House
Limerick
18 November 2009