A Distinct Irish Approach to Global Development Is Taking Shape

by Hazel Hennessy, Philanthropy Ireland

New research from the OECD launched this week examining Private Philanthropy for Development (third edition) has provided a timely opportunity to utilise our data gathering efforts with Philanthropy Ireland members to look at how our members compare to global trends.

Key insights at a glance:

• Irish philanthropy is actively contributing to global development across humanitarian aid, education, climate, and economic opportunity. 

• €14,883,717 was given by 7 Philanthropy Ireland members internationally in 2023 and 2024 which primarily consist of independent and family grant making trusts and foundations and community foundations.

• Funding reflects strong alignment with OECD-identified global priorities, particularly in digital skills, gender equality, and climate resilience. 

• A distinctive strength lies in relationship-based, community-focused funding and flexible support for local organisations. 

• There is growing engagement with technology and innovation, presenting a unique opportunity given Ireland’s global tech position. 

• Increased collaboration and systems-level investment could further strengthen Ireland’s impact internationally.

In global development conversations, philanthropy is often associated with large scale, billion-dollar investments. Ireland does not fit that mould. But that does not mean Irish philanthropy is peripheral. In fact, what we are seeing from Philanthropy Ireland members suggests something more nuanced: a model of giving that is smaller in scale, but often faster, closer to communities, and increasingly aligned with global priorities.

Recent data from our members shows over €14.8 million committed to international development initiatives. On paper, this is modest compared to global philanthropic flows. But scale alone does not tell the full story. What matters is how that funding is being deployed and what it reveals about where Irish philanthropy is heading.

A Sector That Moves Between Crisis and Long-Term Change

One of the clearest patterns emerging from our members’ work is a dual focus: responding to immediate crises while investing in longer-term development.

Irish funders are supporting humanitarian responses in Ukraine, Gaza, and following the Syria–Turkey earthquakes, while also backing climate resilience in Sierra Leone, water access in southern Africa, and education initiatives across multiple regions. This is not unusual, recent research launched by the OECD highlights a similar pattern globally, but what stands out in the Irish context is how fluidly funders move between these two modes.

There is less rigid separation between “humanitarian” and “development” funding. Instead, there is a pragmatic recognition that communities need both and often at the same time.

Following Global Trends, But in an Irish Way

In many respects, Irish philanthropy is tracking closely with the global trends identified by the OECD.

Education and skills development are front and centre. So too is a growing emphasis on digital inclusion; coding, AI literacy, and STEM programmes are now a significant feature of Irish-funded projects. Gender equality is another clear priority, with targeted support for women and girls across education, entrepreneurship, and technology.

Climate is also firmly on the agenda, with projects linking environmental sustainability to livelihoods, agriculture, and community resilience. Most importantly this is an area we saw an increase in from 2023 to 2024, we hope to see an even bigger increase in the 2025 data, which we will launch in October this year as part of Philanthropy Ireland’s Impact Map. 

The Irish Difference: Proximity, Trust, and Practicality

Where Irish philanthropy diverges from some global models is in how it engages.

OECD analysis points to large foundations operating at a systems level- shaping policy, influencing global agendas, and funding large-scale interventions. Irish philanthropy, by contrast, tends to stay closer to the ground.

There is a strong emphasis on community-based organisations, direct service delivery, and grassroots partnerships. Funding supports food programmes, mentoring initiatives, local education projects, and social inclusion efforts alongside more strategic interventions.

This is not a weakness. It is a reflection of a different kind of strength: proximity.

Irish funders are often closer to the organisations they support, more willing to provide flexible funding, and more comfortable backing smaller, locally led initiatives. That creates space for trust, and trust, in development, is often the difference between short-term outputs and lasting impact.

Technology as a Bridge, Not Just a Sector

One of the more striking trends in our data is the scale of investment in digital skills and technology.

From robotics competitions in Africa to AI education programmes in Europe, Irish philanthropy is clearly leaning into technology as a tool for inclusion and opportunity.

This mirrors the OECD findings, which highlight the growing role of philanthropy in addressing the digital divide. But in Ireland’s case, it also reflects something more specific: the country’s position as a global technology hub.

There is an opportunity here that has not yet been fully realised. If Irish philanthropy can more intentionally connect its development work with Ireland’s technological expertise, it could play a unique role in shaping inclusive digital futures.

Small Scale, Real Agility

It would be easy to dismiss Irish philanthropy’s contribution on the basis of scale. But that would overlook one of its key advantages: agility.

Smaller funders can move quickly. They can respond to emerging crises, test new ideas, and support organisations that might be overlooked by larger, more risk-averse institutions.

We see this in the rapid mobilisation of funds for emergency appeals, but also in the willingness to support innovative programmes from social enterprise incubators to youth-led initiatives and early-stage ecosystem building.

The challenge now is to ensure that this agility is not lost as the sector grows more strategic and more structured.

Read Full Report Here