Shortly after Friday’s General Election a new Programme for Government (PfG) will be developed with priorities shaped by whichever political parties and independents form the next government. It is vital the contribution of progressive civil society organisations is valued within that strategy, whether they are charities providing much-needed services on behalf of the state, or organisations whose missions are focused on policy development, systems change or holding the state to account.

SSGT aims to work strategically but as a small social justice funder we have limited reach and impact. One of the ways we demonstrate our solidarity with progressive civil society is through being a Living Wage Friendly Funder. This policy commits to paying the Living Wage in grant funded posts, and supporting groups to become Living Wage Employers. We have advocated for other funders to adopt similar policies.  

A question on our grant application form asks whether groups have a policy on the Living Wage and it is positive that 48% said they do. It is also heartening that 94% of our applicants pay the Living Wage to all employees but we must reflect on the fact that 6% do not.

Being a Living Wage Funder will not solve the funding crisis for public benefit organisations but it’s a gesture of solidarity with groups we fund. There are other concepts such as a Just Wage which could be a useful frame for the vital discussion on sustainable funding for the sector.

Ensuring we have a resilient and stable civil society will strengthen our democracy and be a preventive factor against the politics of division now prevalent in other countries. A positive future for Ireland depends on it.

Orla O’Neill, Executive Director SSGT, 27^th November 2024