The FAI has announced that the UEFA Foundation for Children has donated €100,000 through Ireland legend John Giles' foundation.
The contribution will go towards supporting health and social integration projects, through the John Giles Foundation which was founded in 2010.
His foundation operates an open application process for football clubs, schools and community organisations to apply for funding towards their own football project with a social inclusion remit. These submissions are reviewed and assessed by the trustees of the foundation.
"THE Football Association of Ireland is delighted to announce that it has secured €100,000 from the UEFA Foundation for Children to support health and social integration projects via the John Giles Foundation," the FAI said in a statement, while the association's CEO John Delaney also welcomed the development.
He said: "Every year we receive more than 100 applications for support via the John Giles Foundation so this decision by the UEFA Foundation for Children will have a real impact at grassroots level in communities across Ireland."
John also spoke of his delight at the support from the UEFA Foundation.
"I'm delighted to hear that the Foundation has received this support from the UEFA Foundation for Children and it will help us assist grassroots projects up and down the country," said the former Boys in Green midfielder and manager.
John will be on Off The Ball tonight as always on a Thursday, so get your questions in on Twitter @offtheball.
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