Reach Funding 2026

Please note: Applications are now open for Reach Funding 2026. Please contact your local Education and Training Board (ETB) to find out about individual deadlines for submissions Directory of ETBs – ETBI

Reach Funding delivers funding to improve access and supports for educationally disadvantaged learners who participate in community education initiatives across Ireland.

Reach Funding was launched by Former Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD in 2020, initially designed to support the most disadvantaged learners throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The overarching aim of this funding is to increase the participation of disadvantaged learners in education, particularly those who are undertaking literacy and skills programmes.

Community education providers can apply for funding across several categories including learner assistance, green projects, support for refuge groups and digital supports.

Around the country, the projects supported by Reach Funding help to support online learning, connect communities and provide social supports to the most vulnerable groups. These priority cohorts include the long-term unemployed; young people; people with disabilities; members of the Traveller and Roma communities; migrants and refugees; women wishing to return to the labour market; and lone parents.

Reach Funding focuses on improving key capacity and supports by:

  • assisting community education providers to widen and increase their capacity to deliver, support and encourage the participation of, educationally disadvantaged learners, particularly on accredited programmes at NFQ levels 1 to 3.

  • supporting community education principles by including both formal and informal learning, addressing learners’ personal development, building skills while offering educational options through simplified pathways and further opportunities to progress to other areas of FET and beyond.

  • tackling inequalities and supporting access to community education. 

  • supporting community education projects where clear evidence of viability exists, thus ensuring that the benefits of the investment are maintained beyond the funding period, thereby enhancing the long-term impact of the funding.

  • addressing topics such as climate justice education, education for sustainable development, and building climate literacy. 

Categories Eligible for Funding Consideration are:

  • Projects focused on widening and increasing participation of target groups in learning that offers accreditation at NFQ level 1 to 3, or on non-accredited programmes that provide clear pathways to accredited provision at NFQ levels 1 to 3

  • Projects that will support learners to engage/participate in community based educational programmes, mentoring projects, transport costs for learners, or urgent educational response

  • Projects that address topics such as climate justice education, education for sustainable development, or building climate literacy

  • Projects engaged in education outreach and pre-development work to support the most marginalised and disadvantaged groups

Reach Funding is complemented by a national Collaboration and Innovation Fund (CIF), administered by the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) National Programme Office.