What We Do

The purpose of the IYF (UK) is to raise funds and award grants that give support to various projects that help improve the lives of children and young disadvantaged Irish people in the UK and Northern Ireland. The IYF has donated almost £4 million to projects to date and is the only national charity in Britain specifically aimed at helping young Irish people.

The IYF supports a wide range of welfare organisations and community groups providing: help for the homeless, women and children escaping violence, young offenders and prisoners; employment and training schemes; drug rehabilitation; cultural activities and cross-community initiatives. The people who benefit are made up of socially, economically or culturally disadvantaged young Irish adults and children, and the aim is to help them lead a more integrated and fulfilling life.

Each year the IYF receives several grant applications from projects all over the UK and Northern Ireland. The IYF has an independent Advisory Committee, made up of various specialists in the sector. Our expert committee uses well-defined criteria and assesses grant applications on an annual basis. Once the Advisory Committee has made all their assessments, they make their recommendations to the IYF Board of Trustees.

In 2004 two special awards were inaugurated:

The Innovation Award for the most innovative project in addressing the changing needs of the young Irish community

The Innovation Award 2011 was presented to The Tricycle Theatre in recognition of their innovative proposal with a well-considered and practical application for the funds requested which was to cover facilitator’s fees to train young Travellers to present a film about their lives and culture in schools and the provision of Teachers’ Packs to accompany the film.

The Quality Award for outstanding achievement and excellence over time

The Quality Award 2011 was presented to Irish Community Care Merseyside in recognition of the consistently high quality of their funding proposals and excellent service delivery to young Irish people and young Irish Travellers in Merseyside over many years.  This is the 2nd award presented to ICCM – first time in 2006.