Investing in Connection: The Role of Philanthropy in Promoting Social Cohesion in a Polarised World

At Philanthropy Ireland, we’re exploring how philanthropy can fund bold, innovative work across a range of areas - including efforts to strengthen social cohesion in an increasingly divided world. In this piece, we’re highlighting the work of Hope and Courage Collective, an organisation working to counter hate and disinformation while building connection and resilience in communities across Ireland. Their work is supported by several Philanthropy Ireland members, including KHF, SSGT, The Rowan Trust, Rethink Ireland, and The One Foundation.

Ireland has always prided itself on having a strong sense of community, with our close bonds nurturing a sense of belonging and cohesion. We have also long cherished the values of welcome, solidarity and generosity in times of need - just last year we were recognised as GoFundMe’s most giving nation. Yet, like many countries, we are increasingly navigating a more fragmented landscape—one marked by polarisation, growing mistrust, and the spread of harmful disinformation.

At Hope and Courage Collective - an organisation that works with communities, workplaces, and institutions across Ireland to strengthen democracy and build collective resilience in the face of rising far-right hate and disinformation - we have seen first hand that social cohesion in Ireland cannot be taken for granted in an increasingly polarised word. Social media has facilitated the rapid spread of harmful disinformation, and we have witnessed the direct real world harms that come from it including riots, violence, arson and threats to life. Communities that were once welcoming and safe have been manipulated, torn apart and divided.

But, we have also seen the power of fostering community dialogue, providing good, trusted sources of information and supporting values led narratives that support people to take brave steps towards pulling their communities back together. We work at the intersection of community empowerment, narrative change, and systems-level response to polarisation. Our mission is to support the people and places most impacted by hate, while also addressing the root causes that enable polarising ideologies to take hold.

In this shifting environment, philanthropy has an essential role to play—not just in responding to symptoms, but in supporting bold, preventative work that strengthens connection and resilience in the long term. It is only by bringing together resources from Government, business and community - that we can go beyond mending communities who’ve been wounded by hate and division - and actually begin to strengthen so that they are more united and more resilient than when we first encounter them.

We know that communities are the first to feel the impact of division, but they are also best placed to lead the solutions. This work is necessarily exploratory, and it moves fast. The pace of social change, particularly in digital spaces, means that conventional approaches don’t always apply. Innovation, adaptability, and trust are key—and that’s where philanthropy makes a critical difference. 

Philanthropy can move quickly, fund creatively, and support work that is preventive rather than reactive. It can provide the breathing room that organisations need to think long-term and test new ideas. For Hope and Courage, flexible philanthropic support has allowed us to pilot community-led narrative campaigns, convene cross-sector collaborations, and build the foundations of an early warning system to identify and address emerging threats to social cohesion.

There is a growing appetite for this kind of work in Ireland. Communities want to feel safe, heard, and connected. Civil society organisations are ready to respond, but they need the support to do so. Philanthropic investment in this space not only enables innovative solutions but also helps build the infrastructure for long-term change.

We are encouraged by funders who recognise that social cohesion is not a ‘soft’ outcome, but a strategic imperative. When communities are strong and connected, they are more resilient to external shocks—whether that be economic instability, political division, or the influence of hate-driven narratives. In this way, philanthropy doesn’t just support social initiatives; it contributes directly to the long-term stability and well-being of society as a whole.

As we look ahead, the need for thoughtful, courageous philanthropy has never been greater. The dearth of investment is worrying for a sector that needs to be critical and independent. Philanthropy in Ireland urgently needs to match the bravery of our communities with increased strategic investment. By funding work that builds bridges and that centres the needs of communities, funders have the opportunity to shape a more inclusive and hopeful future for Ireland.

At Hope and Courage Collective, we believe that social change happens at the speed of trust. And trust takes time, investment, and vision. We’re grateful to work alongside funders who understand this—who see the value not just in outputs, but in outcomes that ripple outward: deeper connection, renewed confidence in democracy, and communities that feel more visible, powerful and connected.