Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, are targetting Meath with a series of digital skill programmes worth €250,000.
The grants to support digital skills across communities will be focusing on diversity, equality, and inclusion, to support migrant communities, students, families and older people.
Among the programmes on offer will be refresh skills programmes for migrants; digital devices for families in Mosney Village; online skills & cyber safety for Seniors; a STEM lab and digital skills for young people.
The grants will support Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB), Cultúr Migrant Centre and Youth Work Ireland Meath to deliver the programs.
Speaking at the launch, Aoife Flynn, Head of Community Development EMEA & APAC at Meta said; “At Meta, we’re committed to supporting communities and helping them overcome the digital divide and contribute to a sustainable future through digital skills. Covid-19 accelerated remote working and the need for digital skills, and we’re proud to partner with local organisations to ensure that these skills are brought to those who need them most.
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"Since breaking ground on our data centre in Clonee in 2016, we’ve developed strong partnerships with the local Meath community and take great pride in the resources we can offer to support digital skills and economic growth in the area."
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said, "This funding from Meta is hugely welcome and will support so many worthwhile projects and initiatives across Meath. The partnership with Dunboyne College of Further Education on the Meta Digital Hub is an especially innovative way of ensuring students in the county are supported in working with new technology, as well in availing of blended learning and remote working.
"And the overall range of grants across many organisations - supporting diversity, equality and inclusion, migrant communities, families and older people - is a big boost to supporting digital skills in Meath."
Martin G. O’Brien, Chief Executive at Louth Meath Education and Training Board, said; “LMETB are delighted to be part of this wonderful collaboration with Meta, which represents a joint commitment to education, particularly around key digital skills."
Tinu Achioya, Programme Manager of Cultúr Migrant Centre added: "Cultúr Migrant Centre is pleased to receive funding from Meta for the ReFresh Skills Programme. This programme will help us to promote social inclusion through tailored interventions, that will also lead to the development of new skills, increased English language competencies and greater career opportunities for migrants in Meath."
Geraldine Hogarty, Regional Director of Youth Work Ireland (Meath) said; “Thanks to the Meta Digital Skills funding, we are able to provide our young people and volunteers with coding skills training that will benefit them into the future, ensuring that new digital techniques and equipment are easily accessible."
