COVID-19 Statement

The spread of the COVID-19 virus across Europe and globally impacts everyone regardless of age, gender, race or wealth. However, our most vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens are most at risk and likely to be worst effected post-crisis due to significant strains on our economies, resources and services. Now, more than ever, we need to identify ways of bringing together public and private resources (philanthropy and/or social investment) in a range of collaborations to help re-focus public spending in a more effective, evidence-based direction in the interest of Irish and European citizens. In Europe, the European Social Catalyst Fund (ESCF) is poised to meet this challenge by finding the best evidence-based innovations to reach those in need in several areas across Europe. In this context, the ESCF has extended the deadline for applications to the 11th September 2020, acknowledging the challenges and pressures that so many across Europe are currently experiencing. This will also allow more time for recognising and reflecting on what are appropriate and creative responses to the emerging changes in all our lives going forward, especially in the social economy.

In Ireland, we are working with our partners in the Department of Health, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Health Service Executive and the Dublin Region Housing Executive/ Dublin City Council to continue collaborating and implementing our programmes of work, through remote and digital means. We would like to acknowledge the work of the managers and staff at the frontline of service provision with whom we have worked and who are striving to implement reform in very challenging circumstances, to continue to achieve better outcomes for the people they support. We aim to be flexible and adaptable to emerging needs and are exploring further opportunities to provide online support and capacity building opportunities. Most of all we would like to acknowledge the many individuals and their families who face personal challenges every day and are being supported to direct their own lives in their communities.