Community Sponsorship

Community Sponsorship is a practical and powerful way for communities in Ireland to respond to the global refugee crisis. Community sponsorship mobilises the energy, compassion and expertise which already exists in local communities across Ireland, enabling them to support and empower refugees as they rebuild their lives in safety.

Sign up here to get involved in Community Sponsorship:

Under community sponsorship, individuals and communities come together and take the lead in resettling refugees in their local areas. With the assistance of Regional Support Organisations, they form Community Sponsorship Groups who then support a refugee family or individual with all the things that enable them to settle into their new community. For refugees arriving in Ireland, sponsorship provides a ready-made network of support that helps them to get settled in quicker and build fulfilling and meaningful lives for themselves. At the local level, time and time again, we see communities strengthened and transformed through this life-changing experience.

Watch our short community sponsorship explainer video below to find out more about the steps on the sponsorship journey:
Play Video about Community Sponsorship Explainer Video Cover

There are three stages on the Community Sponsorship Journey and at each stage there is a wealth of support and resources to help you succeed:

1. Getting Started

Work together with a Regional Support Organisation to find like-minded people and form a sponsorship group.

2. Planning for arrival

Supported by step-by-step guidance, prepare to welcome a refugee family or individual to your community.

3. Welcoming

Welcome and support a refugee family to your community
Are you interested in getting involved? Find out how to take part by clicking the link:
Have you already started your community sponsorship journey?

To find out more about the range of supports, resources and guidance available to you please follow the link below:

The video below tells the story of the first family to be welcomed to Ireland by a community sponsorship group:
Play Video

You can explore more inspiring stories of welcome by following the link:

The Open Community is the national support organisation for Ireland’s Community Sponsorship Programme for Refugees. We are a partnership of Doras, the Irish Red Cross, the Irish Refugee Council, Nasc, UNHCR, and Amnesty International Ireland. We are currently being incubated as a project within Amnesty International Ireland, but will be incorporated as an independent entity by the end of 2023.
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