What is The Disability Participation and Awareness Fund 4.0? 

Rethink Ireland is managing the €3.5 million Disability Participation and Awareness Fund 4.0 on behalf of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE). This fund will support up to 18 innovative projects and organisations working to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. 

The eighteen-month Disability Participation and Awareness Fund 4.0 is now open for applications from change-making non-profit organisations that support people with disabilities to participate fully and equally in all aspects of life.

This includes social, cultural, arts and sports participation, as well as dismantling barriers, promoting understanding and competence, and leveraging innovative strategies to address the evolving needs of the disability community.  

The goals of the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund 4.0 are to support innovative projects or organisations across Ireland:  

1. To enhance access to and participation in community life, including sports, recreation and social activities, promoting a sense of belonging and inclusion. 
2. To foster creativity, representation and public understanding of disability through arts and cultural engagement. 
3. To increase employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities through social enterprise, apprenticeships, and inclusive workplace innovation. 
4. To strengthen the organisational capacity and leadership of community and non-profit organisations working with and for people with disabilities. 
5. To increase public awareness and understanding of the rights, contributions, and lived experiences of disabled people, fostering a more inclusive society. 

The fund offers a package of cash grants and non-financial supports for up to 18 projects, to help them expand and increase their social impact. 

This includes: 

• Up to 18 awards ranging from €50,000 up to €200,000* each.

The non-financial supports will include: 

• A place on Rethink Ireland’s accelerator programme. 
• Bespoke business and capacity-building supports designed in consultation with the successful awardees on topics such as strategic planning, maximising your impact, communications, storytelling and fundraising. 
• Access to Rethink Ireland’s networks.

*The Rethink Ireland Board will decide how much money to award, which may be less than the amount requested. The final amount of the award will depend on how many organisations are selected. 

Apply to the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund 4.0 via the online portal from 30 March to 23 April. 

If you would like to access a Plain English version of these Fund Guidelines, please click HERE.  

Join one of our application clinics to learn more and ask questions. The application clinics will be held on: 

• Thursday, 9 April at 1pm: Register Here 
• Wednesday, 15 April at 1pm: Register Here 

Deadline for applications: 1pm on Thursday, 23 April. 

For any questions you may have, please contact: disabilityfund4@rethinkireland.ie