Mason Hayes & Curran launches Engage & Educate Fund for third year

The Engage & Educate Fund 2019, supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development, will distribute €150,000 to community projects that empower people through education to achieve their full potential and to contribute to their communities.

The fund was first set up in 2017 and has handed out €300,000 in financial and mentoring supports to eight projects across Ireland to date, including Blue Diamond Academy.

The deadline to apply for funding is 19 February 2019 and projects that focus on people experiencing disadvantage, people with disabilities or migrants are particularly encouraged to apply. Each successful applicant will receive a share of the €150,000 fund, including a cash grant and access to an Accelerator Programme that provides mentoring, tailored training, bespoke business supports, and access to a peer network.

Seán Canney, minister of state for rural affairs and natural resources, said: “Engage & Educate Fund has supported a diverse range of projects to empower people to reach their full potential through education. I congratulate Mason Hayes & Curran for their leadership with this multi-year impactful donation. I look forward to seeing more companies follow their example.”

​Michael Doran, partner at Mason Hayes & Curran, added: “At Mason Hayes & Curran, we have long held the belief that education is one of the most powerful tools in tackling disadvantage. If members of our community are restricted from accessing education, they won’t reach their full potential or contribute fully to society. As a result, we focus our CSR activity on education projects, working with schools and community groups in our local area and beyond.”

“Our partnership with Social Innovation Fund Ireland on this fund over the last two years has allowed us to support and fund educational projects that address critical social issues in Ireland and we can’t wait to see the innovative projects that apply in 2019.”