Please be advised that KWETB is now accepting applications for the 2024 REACH Fund
This fund has been running in recent years and provides support to community education providers and youth groups in the Kildare and Wicklow area.
All details including the Guidelines and Application Form can be accessed at the following web-site:
The closing date for applications is 5:00 pm on Wednesday 20th March 2024.
Applications should be sent by email to reach@kwetb.ie
The Reach Fund (formerly MAEDF) is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and is administered by SOLAS, the further education and training authority, and the 16 local Education and Training Boards.
The Reach fund aims to provide funding to support educationally disadvantaged learners in accessing and participating in community education.
It aims to increase the participation of disadvantaged learners, particularly those who are undertaking literacy and skills programmes.
The fund was specifically designed to tackle inequalities and support access to community education and intended to address specific actions in the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy to target funding on access to technology and devices, expand community access to wi-fi and broadband resources and to directly address unmet literacy needs.
Categories eligible for funding consideration for 2024 are:
- Support the Adult Literacy for Life Strategy
- Equality Awareness Raising
- Refugee Support
- Innovative Green Projects
- Support Disadvantaged Groups
- Support New Community Groups
Some key points to note:
- Please note that whilst the scheme is broadly similar there are SOME CHANGES so please study carefully the list of eligible categories and items which can be supported including the guidelines around specific staff costs which may be covered this year
- The need to have a tax reference number or charity registration number and tax clearance cert, if necessary. Some groups like the men’s and women’s sheds can use the national charity registration numbers.
- Ensure that the funds can be wholly expended in 2024 otherwise they will have to be returned.
- Giving as much information as possible on the educational supports that the grant will provide to the group members will significantly increase the chances of a successful application.
- Make sure that the contact person is someone who checks their emails regularly and is prepared to submit the reports in the required timeframe.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
ONLINE Workshop
Community Education Kildare will host an online information session on the scheme on Friday, March 1st at 11a.m.
Register in advance for this meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
IN-PERSON Information Session:
We will also provide information in-person on the scheme as part of our Adult Learners’ Festival Event in Monasterevin Community Centre on Tuesday March 5th which runs from 10a.m. to 12.30p.m. We will have application forms available on the day and a presentation about the scheme during the morning. All are welcome to Monasterevin but advance registration would be appreciated so we can gauge how many people are coming and plan accordingly. You can register or get further information by e-mailing communityedkildare@kwetb.ie or calling our office at 045 881 853.
If you have specific queries about the REACH fund itself, we advise sending your queries to reach@kwetb.ie