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  1. Home
  2. Community Sponsorship

Community Sponsorship

Community Sponsorship is an alternative to the traditional state-centred model of resettlement, by enabling communities to come together and play an active role in the reception and integration of families resettling in Ireland. 
The Irish Government committed to developing Community Sponsorship Ireland in 2017, with the first arrival of a Syrian family to Dunshaughlin, County Meath in December 2018 – see RTÉ news report below. At the end of 2019, thirty people comprising eight families were welcomed by eight communities to their new home. One hundred people are expected to be welcomed by communities by the end of 2020.  

How does it work? 

Community Sponsorship is carried out by a core Community Sponsor Group such as neighbours, friends, colleagues, or members of a local sports club, who organise to provide both financial and in-kind support, as well as social, orientation and administrative support as needed, to people being resettled in the local community. Supports include meeting people at the airport, providing a warm welcome and cultural orientation, organising housing for at least a year and half, supporting access to medical, social and other mainstream services, English language tuition, gaining employment and ultimately independence and self-sufficiency.  

 How to get involved?  
The Irish Refugee Council is a 'Regional Support Organisation' (RSO). This means we can help provide support to communities who are interested in sponsoring a family seeking protection in Ireland. We are currently supporting 8 communities across Ireland in preparing to sponsor refugee families. The Irish Red Cross and Nasc are also RSOs providing similar assistance. 

If you would like to learn more, have any questions or need support in preparing an application, you can email our Integration Projects Manager, Rory O' Neill. 

Email Rory 

Resources
Further information about the national Community Sponsorship Programme and how to apply can also be found on the Department of Justice and Equality’s website here. See below for the Community Sponsorship application form and accompanying documents.
Community Sponsorship Resources

Community Sponsorship Resources

Read more

Published: 5th April, 2020

Updated: 28th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

Related topics:
  • Community Sponsorship
'You saved our lives' - Syrian family resettled under community-led programme

'You saved our lives' - Syrian family resettled under community-led programme

Read more

Published: 6th March, 2019

Updated: 9th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

Related topics:
  • Community Sponsorship
  • Resettlement
Regional Support Organisations welcome official launch by Minister Stanton of Community Sponsorship

Regional Support Organisations welcome official launch by Minister Stanton of Community Sponsorship

Read more

Published: 6th March, 2019

Updated: 20th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

Related topics:
  • Community Sponsorship
  • Press Releases
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Showing 10 of 3

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    Vacancy: Community Sponsorship Development Officer

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    Irish Refugee Council welcome commitment to end Direct Provision

Our response to the Covid-19 pandemic

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Published: 27th April, 2020

Updated: 12th June, 2020

Author: Nick Henderson

Latest tweet

  • RT @eldarwish90: my latest work for @MiddleEastEye about @IzzCafe , a great example of immigrants who are giving back to the Irish c… https://t.co/Mbh1zx5eZm

    16thJanuary, 2021 @IrishRefugeeCo
  • By @HBtoons #DirectProvision #motherandbabyhomes https://t.co/2Z1HbbYhqx

    16thJanuary, 2021 @IrishRefugeeCo
  • RT @ecre: #ECREWeekly Bulletin @ecre ❄️❄️Balkan Route: Life-threatening Conditions for People trapped in Bosnia as Temperat… https://t.co/Jp5JXjZFTA

    15thJanuary, 2021 @IrishRefugeeCo
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