Rethink Ireland is currently accepting applications for its Sustainability Step-Up Fund 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Rethink Ireland - Sustainability Step-Up Fund
The Sustainability Step-Up Fund supports social innovations across Ireland to step up their impact and address the climate crisis and its interconnected challenges. It is aimed at grassroots organisations, community-led initiatives, social enterprises and other non-profits that build resilience, promote sustainable practices, foster climate action and environmental stewardship and support the circular economy so that the benefits of the green transition are shared equitably.
Benefits of Rethink Ireland - Sustainability Step-Up Fund
- Up to €210,000 each over an 18-month project implementation period*
- The non-financial supports include:
- A place on Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Workshop Programme
- Bespoke business and capacity building supports designed in consultation with the successful projects on topics such as strategic planning, impact measurement, communications, financial sustainability or fundraising.
- Access to Rethink Ireland’s networks.
Rethink Ireland - Sustainability Step-Up Fund Requirements
This fund is open to organisations that have a not-for-profit legal form, e.g. a company limited by guarantee, a co-operative, trust, charity, and other voluntary organisations that meet the following criteria:
Eligibility & Criteria
Projects must meet both Rethink Ireland’s criteria and the specific criteria for Sustainability Step-Up Fund, as set out below:
Rethink Ireland Core Criteria
- The project must address a critical social or environmental issue
- The project must be innovative in an Irish context
- The project must be based on the island of Ireland and must make its main impact in the Republic of Ireland
- The project must have potential and a desire to scale or replicate in Ireland (it may also have potential internationally, but this is not a requirement)
- The project must provide evidence that it is up and running or has been tested at least in a minimal way.
- Applicants must come from an entity that has a not-for-profit legal form, e.g. a company limited by guarantee, a co-operative, trust, charity.
Rethink Ireland defines a not-for-profit as any organisation whose constitution indicates it has public benefit purposes and is neither privately owned nor controlled by the State.
Sustainability Step-Up Fund Criteria
In line with the overarching goals of the Sustainability Step-Up Fund, the projects and organisations selected must have a sustainability focus and align to one or more of the following criteria.
- Empowering communities to build resilience and taking ownership of climate action initiatives, addressing social and economic issues.
- Enabling climate action and environmental stewardship, i.e. by fostering a sense of responsibility and proactive engagement towards sustainable development and environmental protection; by raising awareness, providing climate education and by protecting and restoring biodiversity.
- Strengthening the circular economy with a focus on sustainable production, increased consumer awareness, employment, training and upskilling to create a sustainable system where resources are reused, recycled, and waste is minimised.
- Supporting rural communities, including farming communities, to adopt sustainable practices and develop innovative ideas to improve on- and off- farm activities.
Advantageous criteria (This is not a requirement.)
- Community inclusion and cohesion: Generating a positive sense of belonging, particularly for marginalised and vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, people in minority ethnic groups, etc.
- Community wellbeing: Projects should demonstrate the potential to enhance community well-being by leveraging sustainable solutions to address the challenges faced by climate justice.
- Collaborative Approach: Projects may collaborate with public bodies or other stakeholders to maximise impact, with a primary focus on community or third-sector projects leading the initiative.
Which projects cannot apply?
- Projects where research is the primary activity
- Projects seeking funding for capital assets (such as buildings, vans or equipment)
- Projects promoting or aligned with a political party
- Projects that only accept participants of a particular faith or religious denomination
- Projects focused on animal welfare
- Projects based outside the Republic of Ireland
- Projects led by people under 18 years of age
- Projects that are an idea (only) and that have not yet started
Which applicants cannot apply?
- Applicants under 18 years of age
- Commercial companies, sole traders and individuals
- Any staff member from Rethink Ireland and their family members. Family members include siblings, parents, spouses or civil partners or children.
- Statutory or public bodies, companies limited by shares and organisations that are state bodies or agencies that are not registered charities
- Any consultant currently working with Rethink Ireland
Application Date and Process
- Click on the link to the application website to apply.
Application Deadline
28 May, 2026
Opportunity Application
View details of
Rethink Ireland - Sustainability Step-Up Fund
Apply for Rethink Ireland - Sustainability Step-Up Fund
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