More than €62k awarded to literacy projects in Kildare and Wicklow

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless and Minister of State Marian Harkin have announced the allocation of more than €62,000 to fund innovative projects in Kildare and Wicklow supporting adults with unmet literacy needs.

Some of the eight projects receiving funding from SOLAS through the Collaboration and Innovation Fund include:

• The Exploring Options initiative: This project aims to address unmet financial literacy needs and to tackle misinformation online through a series of workshops focusing on literacy, reading, financial skills, and adaptive problem solving techniques, and supports adults who are unemployed.

• The My Mind Matters! initiative: Creates a space where mental health and literacy connect to ensure positive outcomes, promoting literacy skills development in a holistic way through an eight week health literacy programme.

• Green Thread: Weaving Climate Literacy, Culture, and Sustainability in our Community initiative: A climate literacy and social inclusion project that brings together 15 Ukrainians and 20 older adults for discussions and hands-on workshops on sustainability, climate literacy and community building.

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Speaking at the event, Minister Harkin said: “I am delighted to see funding awarded to these innovative projects and partnerships in Kildare and Wicklow that are supporting people to access the vital literacy services they need, helping us to work towards a more inclusive and equal society in Ireland.

“1 in 5 adults in Ireland, aged between 16-65, are at or below Level 1 in literacy, meaning they struggle with reading and understanding everyday text. Initiatives such as the Collaboration and Innovation Fund provide critical investment to communities across Ireland, supporting projects and activities that enable adults to gain the necessary literacy, numeracy, digital skills, and financial literacy they need to fully engage in society and realise their potential.”

Minister Lawless added: “Literacy is fundamental to both personal empowerment and economic participation. Our Government and my Department are committed to ensuring every adult has the opportunity to improve their literacy. This is evidenced and actioned through the Adult Literacy for Life strategy.

“The Collaboration and Innovation Fund is delivering partnerships that are helping to break down barriers and bring forward innovative, people-centered solutions to literacy challenges. The aim being to build a more inclusive, informed, and empowered society.”

The Collaboration and Innovation Fund is managed by the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) National Programme Office in SOLAS.  The fund aims to help create a more inclusive and equal society by supporting collaborative and innovative projects that help adults with unmet literacy, numeracy, digital, and financial literacy needs.

This year the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) contributed €250,000 towards a financial literacy strand of the Collaboration and Innovation Fund.

Speaking about the importance of the projects, Deirdre Gallagher, Regional Literacy Coordinator at Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board said: "The National Adult Literacy for Life Strategy provides a clear and comprehensive roadmap to support adults with unmet literacy needs in Kildare and Wicklow and beyond.

“We are delighted with the project call response this year, which shows great innovation and diversity in the projects funded in Kildare and Wicklow, supporting vulnerable target groups such as adults with disabilities or language needs, adults experiencing homelessness and the long-term unemployed.

“These projects focus on developing language and literacy skills in a number of different areas - health, digital, financial, food, information, community and employability. It’s wonderful to see a wide range of community stakeholders work together to address unmet literacy needs, including partners across KWETB, Men's Sheds, local libraries, HSE Health and Wellbeing, Neighbourhood Network, Family Resource Centres, Charities, Homeless Services and Local Development Companies, I’m sure we will see positive outcomes to help adults build confidence with literacy and participate more fully in our community.”