Grant Funding

School Clusters

Grant Call 2026 is now closed for School Clusters.

The next Grant Call is due to open April 2027.

Register closed

Who can apply for funding?

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ encourages post-primary settings to come together to collaborate on ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Citizenship Education in a School Cluster. 

A ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ School Cluster is a minimum of three post-primary education settings that wish to jointly apply for ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ grant funding (with one as the Lead Applicant). The cluster may have GCE issues or topics in common, be a similar type of post-primary setting or share geographical proximity.  A School Cluster may include post-primary settings from anywhere on the island of Ireland.

School Clusters can apply for grants between €1,000 - €5,000.

Post-Primary settings that are interested in collaborating in School Clusters should note the following: 

  • School Clusters should adhere to the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ GCE Guiding Principles
  • School Clusters should be informed by the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Passport 
  • School Clusters are encouraged to use active teaching methods to engage learners, educators and school leadership
  • School Clusters must comprise of at least three post-primary settings, all of which are required to be ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Passport holders. Where there are more than three post-primary settings in a School Cluster, three of the schools are required to be ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Passport holders.
  • Further information is available on the above funding options in the Guidelines for School Cluster 26/27 Applicants.

School Cluster Grantees 2024-2025

For an overview of our current School Cluster collaborations, see below:

Davis College MUN

The Davis College cluster aimed to connect with schools from diverse geographical, ethnic, and religious backgrounds to share perspectives and learn from one another. This exchange has strengthened  their  understanding and enriched Model United Nations (MUN) debates by bringing in a wide range of viewpoints. The cluster also sought to promote diplomatic dialogue on vital topics such as climate change, food and water access, gender equality, domestic violence, sustainable development, and human rights. The growing number of student-led conferences across the country shows that these conversations are both necessary and welcomed by young people, and they are thrilled with the impact this movement is having.

Loreto Clonmel MUN

Model United Nations (MUN) as with most Development Education projects, works best in collaboration with many perspectives represented. With different schools, genders, experiences, knowledge, awareness and thoughts. Much of the learning comes in the conversations, negotiations, lobbying and challenging of entrenched ideas and perspectives. As a cluster there is a wider learning, a growth of awareness and a meeting of like minded individuals and kindred spirits. Students become aware that others care about the topics and issues and there is an MUN community formed.

ISSN

The Irish Schools Sustainability Network (ISSN) is a network of teachers and students from various schools working together to promote environmental awareness, solidarity, and action within the Irish education system. By encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the ISSN helps connect individuals concerned about environmental issues, reducing feelings of isolation. This year, the programme focuses on empowering students to critically engage with global issues and understand the complex nature of the climate and ecological crisis. It also provides students with the tools and skills to take meaningful action on climate change.

SCAN

Students’ Climate Action Network (SCAN) cluster is a national network of students in Ireland formed in 2019, calling for urgent action to prevent climate breakdown and ensure a just and sustainable future. SCAN aims to empower students to work together to achieve key demands for climate action through inclusive and participatory decision-making processes facilitated by students.