Toying with our future
By Alex Redmond
An organisation that reduces waste by finding new homes for pre-loved toys is among a number of Cork-based non-profits to receive funding from The Rethink Ireland’s SEFIT Challenge fund.
The Cork Toy Factory is among five organisations in Cork will receive much needed support from a €400,000 fund.
The news was announced by Rethink Ireland and Cork City Council and Rethink Ireland will distribute these funds between the months of August 2024 and May 2025.
This will allow these organisations to amplify their social impact while developing sustainable solutions. Their projects are part of the SEFIT (Social Ecosystems for Fair and Inclusive Transitions) Challenge Fund, which is co-funded by the European Union.
The SEFIT challenge fund aims to help marginalised communities make sustainable progress and to support innovative non-profit organisations.
This project is part of a 10-month collaboration with SEFIT, and their Turin-based counterparts Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini (FGB). The initiatives include:
- International Garden by Cork Migrant Centre, South Presentation Centre: This intergenerational, migrant-led project offers Irish-grown alternatives to ethnic produce from around the world. This will support families in Direct Provision and upskilling them in business as they bring excess produce to market. The award will help transition the project from a volunteer-based effort to a sustainable social enterprise.
- ECO-UNESCO: ECO-UNESCO will establish a pilot ‘regional hub’ in Cork city. This will deliver educational and action-focused workshops to empower young people, from marginalised backgrounds, to engage in the green transition.
- Bridging the Digital Divide by Cork Deaf Enterprises: This project addresses the digital divide within the deaf community by offering tailored digital training in Irish sign language. By equipping participants with essential IT skills, the initiative seeks to enhance life skills and tackle barriers to employment for this marginalised group.
- Access Studio Project by Cork Community Media Hub: Focusing on minority groups, this project leverages digital technologies for storytelling to combat discrimination and shift attitudes. With the SEFIT funding, the project will expand its media literacy training, enabling more community groups to share their perspectives.
- The Toy Library: Addressing the need for sustainable solutions in the toy economy, this project promotes the recirculation of toys to reduce waste. The award will fund part-time roles for community engagement and digital marketing, ensuring the project can serve a broader audience.
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Dan Boyle said: “The five awardee projects in Cork reflect our city’s commitment to sustainability and social inclusion, addressing urgent local challenges through community engagement and collaboration. These initiatives are pathways to a fairer and more resilient future for all Cork’s residents. The SEFIT Challenge Fund exemplifies how local actions, backed by strong partnerships, can drive meaningful change in our communities. We are delighted to partner with Turin on this and show how an international inter-city collaboration can work and achieve so much.”
Pádraic Vallely, Senior Philanthropy and Development Manager of Rethink Ireland added: “These five projects showcase the innovative thinking needed to make green and digital transitions more equitable. They also embody our community-driven approach to social change. We look forward to seeing the lasting positive impact these initiatives will have on both our environment and society. This is another great example of placed-based giving and its value locally, and an opportunity to replicate in different areas.”