Funding announced for literacy projects across Donegal

Funding of €45,517 was awarded to Donegal as part of the overarching €1 million national Adult Literacy For Life Collaboration and Innovation Fund 2026

Published 17th Jun 2026, 20:00 BST L-R -Literacy Ambassador Michael Power, Min Marian Harkin, Maria Riordan, Manager of ALL Programme Office, Colm McEvoy, SOLAS Executive Director | SOLAS Funding of €45,517 was awarded to Donegal as part of the overarching €1 million national Adult Literacy For Life Collaboration and Innovation Fund 2026 Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.

Funding of €45,517 has been allocated to tackle unmet literacy needs and benefit adults and communities across Donegal .

Awarded as part of the overarching €1 million national Adult Literacy For Life Collaboration and Innovation Fund 2026, the funding will facilitate delivery of transformational cross-community projects, spanning literacy, family literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, and financial literacy to benefit the local community.

Announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless, and Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin.

The announcement coincided with the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) showcase event at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, hosted by the ALL National Programme Office in SOLAS.

Learners, educators, and community partners in Donegal and across Ireland showcased examples of best literacy practice and highlighted impactful 2025 CIF projects at the midpoint of Government’s 10-year national ALL strategy.

“The Adult Literacy for Life Strategy sets out a clear plan to support adults who have unmet literacy needs across Donegal and throughout Ireland,” Adele McElhinney, Regional Literacy Coordinator at Donegal ETB, said. “The Collaboration and Innovation Fund supports local groups to work together and try new ideas at community level. It helps organisations across Donegal develop practical projects that respond to unmet local literacy needs.

Land for over 2,000 housing units across Donegal to be unlocked Consultations taking place across Donegal on speed limit by-laws “I am delighted that eight projects in this region have received funding this year. These projects will help adults to build confidence in their everyday skills and take part more fully in work, learning and community life. We look forward to seeing the positive difference the funding and projects will make locally.”

The 2026 projects receiving funding from SOLAS through the Adult Literacy For Life (ALL) Collaboration and Innovation Fund 2026 in Donegal include: The Books and Blankets initiative, The One Ingredient Many Stories initiative and The Raphoe Adult Learning Trail initiative.

“Literacy is an essential skill for personal and economic empowerment,” Minister Lawless said. “Our Government and Department remain committed to helping all adults improve their literacy through the implementation of the Adult Literacy for Life strategy.

“The Collaboration and Innovation Fund is a brilliant example of the importance of partnerships in delivering this work in Donegal and across Ireland. We can address literacy challenges with innovative, people-focused solutions and create a more inclusive and informed society.”

Speaking at the event, Minister Harkin said: "I'm really pleased to hear about the wonderful work that is taking place across the country. These innovative projects in Donegal and across Ireland are helping people access essential literacy services and contributing towards our goal of a more inclusive society for all.”

“Literacy remains a challenge for 1 in 5 adults aged 16-65, who struggle with everyday reading. The Collaboration and Innovation Fund is a vital investment in community projects that make a real difference in helping adults develop literacy, numeracy, digital, and financial skills so they can participate fully in society and reach their potential."

Related topics: Donegal Donegal County Council Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.