Trócaire Funding Granted to the Future We Need Group

Trocaire grant to fund research for the 'Future We Need' group

The ‘Future We Need Group’ was delighted to receive confirmation last week that their application to Trócaire for research funding has been approved. The group will receive a €4000 grant from Trócaire to fund research in the area of sustainable development. The grant will be administered by Mercy Global Action.

‘The Future We Need’ group is an inter-congregational group of religious in Ireland, set up after Rio+20 to promote education and advocacy on sustainable development issues, The Trócaire grant will fund a researcher to assist the group to develop position papers on their areas of concern. The researcher will examine the materials of other NGOs and environmental agencies and utilise their expertise where appropriate.

The effect of extractive industries on community cohesion is of particular interest to the Future We Need group. The researcher will spend time analysing case studies from communities in South America, South Africa and Ireland where the group’s Congregations work.

The researcher will also assist the group with their contributions to the Departments of Environment and Foreign Affairs on the Sustainable Development Goals and the follow up to Rio+ 20.

The Future We Need group consists of the Sisters of Mercy, Presentation Sisters, Franciscan Friars, UNANIMA and the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and represents approximately 11,000 people in Ireland and 80,000 people worldwide. Members of the group belong to congregations with Special Status at the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations (UN) which informs their work at national level.

The Future We Need group is particularly interested in the Protection of Nature and of Natural Resources. The group have lobbied both at national and international levels in Ireland and in developing countries on the issue of unsustainable mining, especially where such activities have a negative effect on the environment and natural resources. They have reported their concerns on fracking in Ireland to the Environmental Protection Agency and have also made representations to the Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders at the UN and spoken at the UN General Assembly defending communities in Cajamarca, Peru – who are lobbying to prevent mining companies coming into their areas and where military force has been used against the local community.

The Trócaire grant will cover the costs of employing the researcher for the Future We Need Group, ensuring their work to protect nature and natural resources continues.

Messages to: Mary Purcell - Assistant Director Mercy Global Action