Grants of up to €12,000 will be given to student groups for projects aimed at reducing hate speech towards refugees, according to the European Students’ Union (ESU).
This ‘Together, Moving Forward’ scheme was first introduced in 2016 and is now taking applications for a second round of grants. The ESU say the scheme will fund student and refugee-led initiatives at a local, national and international level. Funding of up to €10,000 (€12,00 for international campaigns) will be given to successful applicants.
“We encourage student-led groups, especially ESU members, local students’ unions, as well as refugee-led or migrant-led organisations to apply for a grant. If you are an informal group of students, you can contact a local or national union of students, or another established organisation and ask for their support,” said project manager at ESU Francesca Bragagnolo.
The programme aims to reshape discussion of forced migration, confront hate speech and build stronger links between refugees and their communities. It has funded 13 projects since 2016, including one by the Union of Students Ireland (USI).
Applications for the grant can be made by filling out the application forms on the ESU website and sending them to movingforward@esu-online.org before April 15th, 10.59pm Irish time.
The European Students’ Union represents 46 national student unions from third level institutions in 39 countries. The USI is a member.
“We have been working with the USI with the past grant, focusing on anti-hate speech in campuses, as well as establishing more Universities of Sanctuary,” said Alexandra Antonescu, communications manager at the ESU. DCU became the first Irish University of Sanctuary in 2016.
“We wanted to make sure that as many students as possible could train up as ‘No Hate’ ambassadors, and we’ve partnered with the National Youth Council of Ireland to make it happen,” said Vice President for Campaigns at USI Amy Kelly.
“We are working with DITSU, NUIGSU and DCUSU to roll out training at the moment, and we’ll be following it up with an awareness campaign across campuses,” Kelly added. There is currently no date for when this will occur.
VP for Welfare and Equality in DCU Podge Henry said that anti-hate speech training was planned to be held in DCU two weeks ago but had to be cancelled. It is rescheduled for week nine of this semester with no confirmed date.
Orla Dwyer
Image Credit: ESU