The newly launched Skills for Tomorrow Fund will channel €1.5 million into innovative projects that help marginalised individuals and communities build the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world of work.

Developed in partnership with Deloitte Ireland, the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the Department of the Gaeltacht, the fund is managed by Rethink Ireland and will run for two and a half years.

Supporting up to Nine High‑Impact Projects

Skills for Tomorrow will provide cash grants of €137,500 to €200,000 to up to nine organisations nationwide. The fund is designed to back projects that deliver practical, inclusive and future‑focused pathways into employment, education and lifelong learning.

Rethink Ireland CEO Deirdre Mortell emphasised the urgency of the initiative:

“As the world of work continues to evolve, we need to ensure that people and communities already experiencing marginalisation are not further excluded from future opportunities. The Skills for Tomorrow Fund is about creating practical and inclusive pathways into employment, education and lifelong learning.”

Addressing Technological Change and Digital Inequality

The fund arrives at a time of shifting labour markets, AI adoption, and accelerating technological change. A press release accompanying the launch warned that individuals already facing barriers to education, training and employment risk being left further behind without targeted support.

In addition to financial backing, successful applicants will receive guidance on the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence, helping organisations strengthen their impact and adapt to new digital realities.

Focus on Marginalised Groups

Applications are encouraged from organisations working with groups that face persistent barriers to workforce participation, including:

  • Young people not in education, employment or training
  • Long‑term unemployed individuals
  • People with disabilities
  • Minority ethnic communities
  • Lone parents
  • People experiencing educational disadvantage

Corporate Support for Inclusive Innovation

Lorraine Griffin, Chair of Deloitte Ireland, highlighted the importance of ensuring that technological progress benefits everyone:

“At Deloitte, we are proud to support this multi-year fund with Rethink Ireland. We understand that Ireland’s future innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders will need new skills to meet tomorrow.

“As technology expands opportunity for those with access and skills, it can also reinforce barriers for those without. With the right support, more people can participate in and benefit from the future economy.”

Applications Now Open

The Skills for Tomorrow Fund is now accepting applications from organisations supporting both young people and adults. The deadline for submissions is 29 June.

Projects must demonstrate innovative, evidence‑based approaches to:

  • Future skills development
  • Digital inclusion
  • Workforce participation