This year marks the 10th year of The Community Foundation for Ireland’s “Women’s Fund” which has seen over almost €2 million invested in organisations and communities across Ireland, each of whom are working to improve the lives of women and girls throughout the country.
In 2018 alone The Community Foundation for Ireland invested €45,000 in nine organisations working on issues effecting women and girls. This funding supported an empowerment programme for LGBTQIA+ Women, supporting them to recognise and challenge sexual harassment, as well as a number of projects focussed on consent and healthy relationships.
Through its commitment to the Women’s Fund The Community Foundation for Ireland has provided support to issues and projects that are often underrepresented and underfunded. However, it is important to recognise that many of the issues supported by the Women’s Fund, such as health, healthy relationships and empowerment, are also relevant to men and boys across Ireland.
With International Men’s Day taking place on November 19th with the theme “making a difference for Men and Boys”, we at The Community Foundation for Ireland, would like to take the opportunity to highlight some of the impactful work being done by our donors, and charities we support, as they work to address issues effecting men and boys in Ireland.
“Cultivating Healthy Masculinity” kindly supported by the Lifes2Good Foundation Fund
“Cultivating Healthy Masculinity” is a joint initiative between the Westport Family Resource Centre (FRC), An Foróige and the White Ribbon Campaign. This initiative was developed out of a need to address young men’s negative and unhealthy attitudes and behaviour towards women, relationships and sex.
The initiative takes a participative approach, acknowledging the role men and boys have in combatting violence against women, while also addressing potential causes and effects of toxic masculinity.
With support from the Lifes2Good Foundation Fund, the “Cultivating Healthy Masculinity” programme aims to create a positive change in attitudes and behaviours of young men, helping participants gain a greater ability to exhibit masculine traits and behaviours without misogyny.
The programme also aims to ensure participants gain a greater understanding of masculinity, the effects of “toxic masculinity” and how they can become active role models within their communities. It is hoped that through the promotion of “healthy masculinity” there will be a reduction in the risk of violence and abuse to women and girls.
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association – Supported by Medtronic and The Community Foundation for Ireland
The Community Foundation for Ireland has provided long standing support to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) both through its donor advised funds and its endowment fund.
Since 2015 Medtronic have partnered with The Community Foundation for Ireland to create the €1 million “Healthy Communities” fund. This fund aims to support individuals to lead healthier lifestyles, expand access to healthcare for the underserved and tackle health inequalities.
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association has received funding from the “Healthy Communities” fund to support its work focussed on empowering its members in sheds across Ireland to live healthier lives, namely through the expansion of its Men’s Health Website (www.malehealth.ie) as well as running a number of exercise programmes, in partnership with Siel Bleu, in sheds across Ireland titled “COPD & ME”.
The Community Foundation for Ireland has also previously provided funding to the Irish Men’s Sheds Association to support its development, ensuring the organisation has the support it needs to scale and grow, reaching as many men as possible across Ireland.
The Community Foundation for Ireland, and its donors, support a diverse range of projects tackling some of Ireland’s most pressing social issues. If you would like to find out more about supporting the work of the Community Foundation or a particular project, such as those listed above, please get in touch at info@foundation.ie.