Tesco Ireland has launched latest community initiative for community projects

Tesco Ireland has launched its latest community initiative that will see four community projects share €100,000 in funding from the special 25 Years Community Fund.

‘The 25 Years Community Fund’ is designed to help groups to realise a once-off special project from start to finish. Applications will be grouped according to locations and one cause from Munster; Leinster; Connacht and Ulster; and Dublin will receive a €25,000 donation each to help support their communities. Local organisations can apply online at www.tescoireland.ie or scan the QR code on the Tesco community board located at the front of all 164 stores nationwide.

As Tesco Ireland marks 25 years operating in Ireland, it is recognising the thousands of good causes and local projects all over Ireland who work to support and build thriving communities. As part of this new, once-off initiative, local causes from all over Ireland are invited to put forward their application and share why their project should be selected as a recipient of ‘The 25 Years Community Fund’.

The 25 Years Community Fund judging panel will comprise broadcaster Blathnaid Treacy; Rosemary Garth, Communications Director, Tesco Ireland; Tomás Sercovich, CEO, Business in The Community; Deirdre Duffy, Director of Impact, Grants and Donor Care at the Community Foundation for Ireland and Deborah Dignam, Assistant Principal at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Throughout Ireland, small and often volunteer-run groups such as Meals on Wheels, sports clubs, resource centres and mental health services are at the heart of local communities. However, the cost-of-living increases have put added pressure on these services to stay open for longer and cater for increased demand in local communities.

The new initiative coincides with new research from Tesco which found that more than one third of people (35%) in Ireland currently volunteer with or work for an organisation or good cause in their local community while more than a third (35%) of those surveyed said that they donate to a local good cause in their local community.

More than three quarters (77%) said that they will donate to a good cause in their local community in 2023 with the majority of respondents (85%) agreeing that local organisations facilitate a greater feeling of empowerment and inclusion in local communities.

Minister Neale Richmond, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail said “I am delighted to be supporting this initiative. Having contributed to Ireland’s communities and our economy for 25 years, Tesco plays a hugely important role in our retail sector. I want to share a word of thanks to Tesco for supporting local projects and consistently working to improve communities across Ireland. This is a great time to submit an application and I would encourage any local organisation to get involved with Tesco’s Community Fund.”

Speaking at the launch Rosemary Garth, Communications Director, Tesco Ireland said “For 25 years we’ve been supporting the communities we live and work in, and this year more than ever, we wanted to do something special for our communities.

We are making €100,000 in funding available to support four causes or community projects to create their dream project or initiative, each receiving €25,000. Maybe there’s a project or community group out there that has a special project on their wish list that they’ve only ever dreamed of being able to fund? Whether your voluntary group has never been a recipient of our ongoing Community Fund, or been in it once or many times, now is your chance to apply for the chance to receive €25,000 – we want to hear from you.”

Tomás Sercovich, CEO, Business in The Community added “As a non-profit business network that aims to encourage corporate social responsibility, it’s fantastic to see Tesco Ireland supporting vibrant communities. There is huge need across organisations providing vital services. Receiving this funding could change everything for a local community group or project so get involved and tell us what you would spend €25,000 on.”

Tesco Ireland has been a longstanding supporter of local communities throughout Ireland, supporting the issues that matters most where customers and colleagues live and work. ‘The 25 Years Community Fund’ is an extension of the Tesco Community Fund programme and since 2014 has donated over €7 million to more than 21,000 national and local causes, helping to build and support thriving communities all over Ireland.

The closing date for causes to enter is 26th February and the cause can apply online here. The winners will be announced following judging in March 2023.