Sustainability Step-Up Fund 2026

Rethink Ireland is currently accepting applications for its Sustainability Step-Up Fund 2026. This fund supports social innovations across Ireland to address the climate crisis and its interconnected challenges. It is aimed at grassroots organizations, community-led initiatives, social enterprises, and other non-profits that promote sustainable practices, foster climate action, and support the circular economy.

🏢 About the Sustainability Step-Up Fund

The Sustainability Step-Up Fund is designed to help organizations step up their impact in addressing the climate crisis. It focuses on building resilience, promoting sustainable practices, fostering environmental stewardship, and ensuring that the benefits of the green transition are shared equitably.

Key Focus Areas:

• Grassroots organizations
• Community-led initiatives
• Social enterprises
• Non-profits promoting sustainability and climate action

💰 Benefits of the Fund

Successful applicants will receive both financial and non-financial support:

Financial Support:

• Up to €210,000 over an 18-month project implementation period

Non-Financial Support:

• A place on Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Workshop Programme
• Bespoke business and capacity-building supports, including:
  • Strategic planning
  • Impact measurement
  • Communications
  • Financial sustainability
  • Fundraising
• Access to Rethink Ireland’s networks

✅ Eligibility Criteria

General Requirements:

This fund is open to organizations with a not-for-profit legal form, such as:

• Companies limited by guarantee
• Co-operatives
• Trusts
• Charities
• Other voluntary organizations

Core Criteria:

Projects must meet the following criteria:

1. Address a critical social or environmental issue.
2. Be innovative in an Irish context.
3. Be based on the island of Ireland and make its main impact in the Republic of Ireland.
4. Have the potential and desire to scale or replicate in Ireland.
5. Provide evidence that the project is operational or has been tested minimally.
6. Be led by an entity with a not-for-profit legal form.

Sustainability Step-Up Fund Criteria:

Projects must align with one or more of the following:

1. Empowering communities to build resilience and take ownership of climate action initiatives.
2. Enabling climate action and environmental stewardship, including raising awareness, providing climate education, and protecting biodiversity.
3. Strengthening the circular economy, focusing on sustainable production, consumer awareness, and minimizing waste.
4. Supporting rural communities, including farming communities, to adopt sustainable practices.

Advantageous Criteria (Not Mandatory):

• Community inclusion and cohesion: Promoting belonging, especially for marginalized groups.
• Community well-being: Enhancing well-being through sustainable solutions.
• Collaborative approach: Partnering with public bodies or stakeholders to maximize impact.

🚫 Ineligible Projects and Applicants

Projects That Cannot Apply:

• Research-focused projects
• Projects seeking funding for capital assets (e.g., buildings, vans, equipment)
• Projects promoting political parties
• Projects accepting participants of a particular faith or denomination
• Animal welfare projects
• Projects based outside the Republic of Ireland
• Projects led by individuals under 18 years of age
• Projects that are only ideas and have not yet started

Applicants That Cannot Apply:

• Individuals under 18 years of age
• Commercial companies, sole traders, and individuals
• Staff members of Rethink Ireland and their family members
• Consultants currently working with Rethink Ireland
• Statutory or public bodies, companies limited by shares, and state agencies that are not registered charities

📅 Application Process and Deadline

• Application Deadline: 28 May, 2026
• Visit the official website to apply.

For more details, visit the official Rethink Ireland website.

• Up to €210,000 each over an 18-month project implementation period.
• A place on Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Workshop Programme.
• Bespoke business and capacity building supports.
• Access to Rethink Ireland’s networks.