Empowering Donegal communities to tackle global issues at a local level

As Ireland’s National Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Week approaches, ChangeMakers Donegal is delighted to announce the launch of the Seeds of Change programme for 2025-2026.

Community and voluntary groups across Donegal are invited to apply for small grants of up to €650 to support projects that address a local issue with a global justice theme.

Whether it's climate action, migration, gender equality, or sustainable development, this initiative aims to inspire meaningful change from the ground up.

ChangeMakers is an Inishowen Development Partnership Initiative, which has also partnered with Donegal ETB, Self Help Africa, Trócaire and Concern – and it’s funded by Irish Aid.

Their ‘Seeds of Change’ initiative was designed to enable local community and voluntary groups to raise awareness of these global challenges, but critically their chosen project must involve local action that links to global justice.

Kate O’Callaghan, Project Coordinator with ChangeMakers Donegal, said the programme is about encouraging grassroots action with a global perspective.

“We want to support communities in Donegal to think globally and act locally,” explains Kate.

“These grants are an opportunity to raise awareness and inspire meaningful change through creative and impactful projects.”

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To help groups develop their ideas and understand the application process, ChangeMakers will host a series of free workshops in three locations across the county.

The workshops will take place in Cara House, Letterkenny on Saturday, September 20th, in The Workhouse, Dunfanaghy on Monday, September 22nd, and in St. Eugene’s Hall, Moville on Tuesday, September 23rd. Each session runs from 10am to 1pm.

“These workshops will provide guidance on developing project ideas, understanding global justice themes, and completing the application process,” adds Kate.

The deadline to apply for the Seeds of Change grants is Friday, October 3rd at 5pm. Interested groups can email changemakers@inishowen.ie or call 086 085 0175 for more information.