Cork charities win funding from ESB’s Energy for Generations Fund
ESB has awarded funding of €50,000 to four Cork-based charities to mark the summer round of its Energy for Generations fund. The Next Step (recipients of €6,000 in funding), Love and Care for People (€7,470), Baile an Aoire (€16,000) and Field of Dreams (€21,000) attended a special event at Aghada Generating Station in Whitegate Co Cork this morning.
The summer round of funding saw €168,400 awarded to 23 charities across Ireland, all working in the areas of suicide, homelessness and education access and support.
ESB’s station manager at Aghada Liam Ring spoke of how the company seeks to empower and enrich the lives of individuals and communities across Ireland through its Energy for Generations Fund. “ESB has a long tradition of supporting individuals and communities around Ireland. It’s been a great pleasure to welcome representatives from four tremendous Cork charities to Aghada to recognise their practical and effective efforts in the city, county and beyond. The charities exemplify the spirit of the Fund that has delivered €11m to worthy causes across Ireland, including €1m in Cork, over the last ten years.”
Baile an Aoire is run by the Good Shepherd Sisters, who are actively involved in a variety of activities including the provision of supported housing which aims to enhance the quality of life of vulnerable women in Cork. Cork City-based The Next Step provide support of a non-medical nature for those who have experienced depression, mental health issues and emotional difficulties in their lives. Working across the city and county, Love and Care for People improves the quality of life of children, young people, and women impacted by family violence and hardship with a purpose to reduce and prevent it. The Field of Dreams project aims to enhance Down Syndrome Cork’s adult services by providing an educational and therapeutic horticulture centre, within which adults with Down syndrome will gain valuable work experience and be provided a range of learning opportunities.
ESB’s aim with the Energy for Generations Fund is to maximise the impact of their investment by taking a more strategic approach to effect change. Funding is only part of the jigsaw – ESB also leverage the skills and knowledge within the company to bring about more sustainable and positive outcomes. Since it was launched in 2005, the Fund has awarded total funding of €11.5 million to over 700 local and national charities around Ireland, including approximately €1 million to 160 organisations located in Cork City and County.
ESB’s Energy for Generations Fund is open to organisations within the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. For more information on ESB’s Energy for Generations Fund, please visit our website www.esb.ie
