Our aim with the Energy for Generations Fund is to maximise the impact of our investment by taking a more strategic approach to effect change. Funding is only part of the jigsaw – we also want to leverage the skills and knowledge we have within the company to bring about more sustainable and positive outcomes.
Energy For Generations Fund
As a leading Irish organisation with deep roots in the community dating back to 1927, we are committed to playing a role in addressing some of the key social issues facing Ireland today.
Corporate Responsibility (CR) is at the heart of this vision. ESB's Energy for Generations Fund sees €1m per year disbursed to charities on the island of Ireland working primarily in social inclusion (access to education and employment). In addition, the fund also supports charities working in the area of homelessness.
Aim of ESB's Energy for Generations Fund
ESB supports Irish Girl Guides
The mission of the Irish Girl Guides is to enable young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.
Watch VideoSupport for Staff Volunteering
The Energy for Generations Fund provides support to ESB staff who volunteer within their own communities. Staff who volunteer at least 20 hours of their own time per year will be invited to apply for funding of up to €250 for their chosen registered charity.
ESB Energy for Generations Fund FAQs
Charities working in the areas of suicide prevention, homelessness and education access and support can apply to the Fund for project specific funding.
Three times a year, ESB allocates an amount from the Fund for disbursement. The amount may vary because of the volume of applications received or seasonal considerations - wintertime and Christmas may require more funding than summer.
Applications submitted during each round are appraised with funding allocated accordingly.
2024 closing dates for applications are:
- April 22 2024
- August 19 2024
The application link for applying will be live from April 1, 2024.
If you require additional information, email efgfund@esb.ie.
Applications can be made via our online application form.
Suicide Prevention
We will fund services and projects working to promote positive mental health and to build capacity, skills and training to make effective suicide prevention interventions.
We have a particular interest in funding programmes with a focus on youth suicide and positive mental health promotion for young people.
Homelessness
We will fund services and projects benefiting homeless people and those at risk of homelessness.
Education
Proposals are invited from the following:
- Early years and early primary schools projects focusing on literacy and numeracy;
- Secondary level proposals promoting science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM);
- Adult education return-to-education programmes aimed at those long-term out of work.
Funding is not awarded to / for:
- Individuals and individual fundraisers
- Administrative or operating costs
- Salary expenses
- Third party fundraising (e.g. fundraising events)
- High risk ventures
- Retrospective funding
- Community counselling services
- Overseas work
- Single school applications and school completion projects
Funding must be used exclusively for the purpose of implementing the project as stated in the application form.
The guideline application amount is c. €15,000. This is neither a minimum nor a maximum, rather an indication of the scale of the resources available. Average funding awards in recent years have been c. €8,000 - €12,000.
You can apply as often as you wish. If you are consistently being turned down you should speak to the Fund Administrator. If you have been frequently funded, we may wish to spread the funding and you may not be considered. It is important to note that each project will be considered on its own merits and will be considered for funding if it is worthy.
A set of criteria will be applied against applications. "Informed by evidence", "focused on outcomes", "impact" and "opportunity for staff engagement" are areas for assessment as is "local contribution."
Yes. You can contact the Fund Administrator. However, generally if your application wasn't successful it will be because of competition from other proposals or more impactful projects have been approved for this period. You can apply again during the next round of funding.
You can contact one of our Fund Administrator:
Rachel Tracey
T: 086 0759236
Yes.
Organisations are encouraged to secure independent local funding as well as applying to the Energy for Generations Fund to maximise the level of local contribution to projects, and should indicate the level of the organisation's own resources that are being invested into the project.
The majority of fundings will be to registered charities.
All successful applicants are required to return a project report on completion of the project or within 12 months of receipt of funding. Reports can be submitted via our online project report form.