Gender Equality: ESF+ Éist Gender Equality Funding Call (Ireland)
Donor: Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Ireland
Location: Ireland
Beneficiaries: Organisations
Project focus areas: Gender equality and economic empowerment
Funding amount: EUR 100,000 to EUR 200,000 per project
Project duration: 52 weeks
Deadline: 30 August 2026
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality launched the ESF+ Éist Gender Equality Funding Call in August 2026 to support projects that promote gender equality and improve women's access to employment, career progression, and economic empowerment in Ireland.
The funding call focuses on promoting gender equality, improving women's access to employment opportunities, supporting participation in activation and training measures, enhancing career progression opportunities, increasing economic empowerment, and addressing barriers arising from gender inequality and multiple forms of disadvantage.
The funding initiative forms part of the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme, Ireland's European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) programme for the 2021–2027 period. It is designed to support projects that create greater opportunities for women while tackling the inequalities and disadvantages that limit their participation in the labour market and broader economic life.
A total funding allocation of €950,000 is expected to be available through this call. Individual grants will range from €100,000 to €200,000 to support eligible projects.
Projects are expected to have a duration of 52 weeks and are planned to run from late 2026 into 2027. Applicants will need to demonstrate that their proposed project provides additional activities beyond their existing programmes.
Applications will be welcomed from public sector organisations, private sector organisations, and voluntary and community organisations that can deliver projects aligned with the objectives of the funding call.
Learn more here.