Our History
Nasc opened its doors in May 2000 in Cork to provide migrant support services and trustworthy independent advice, founded by Piaras Mac Einrí, Father Fachtna O’Driscoll and activists responding to gaps in services for migrants and asylum seekers.
Nasc launched its community support groups focusing on integration, women’s voices, country-of-origin projects and advocacy, with the idea of building a grassroots community voice for migrants in Cork.
Nasc moved to Enterprise House on Mary Street in Cork. Here it began creative community projects, including artistic and storytelling work which gave a voice to migrant experiences.
Thanks to funding from Atlantic Philanthropies and One Foundation, Nasc was able to introduce its personal advocacy and legal information service, offering legal advice on immigration, family reunification, citizenship and discrimination.
As the organisation continued to grow, Nasc relocated to the Dominican Priory in Ferry Lane where it continued its core legal and advocacy work.
Nasc participated in the Working Group on Direct Provision and Protection, contributing to improvements in asylum reception such as labour market access, oversight, allowances and physical conditions.
Nasc launched the “Safe Passage Campaign” promoting safe and legal routes for refugees and focusing on family reunification, later feeding into the development of community sponsorship models.
Nasc moved into 34 Paul Street, Cork, which continues to be its current home. It expanded its work, working with young people seeking asylum on its “Connect Project” and helping refugee women on “The Gateway Project”.
Nasc collaborates on the launch of the Irish Community Sponsorship Programme launches, which allows communities to welcome refugees directly. It also provides
legal support to more than 1,300 people and builds strong evidence for systemic advocacy.
Nasc publishes Invisible People: The Integration Support Needs of Refugee Families Reunified in Ireland highlighting the challenges facing refugee families. During COVID-19, Nasc joined other NGOs calling for the removal of vulnerable migrants from overcrowded Direct Provision Centres and produced multilingual public health guidance.
The New Beginnings: Children & Families Project is launched, providing social-work lead support for refugee families transitioning from direct provision into community living, addressing housing, education, welfare and wellbeing.
Nasc is awarded €70,000 from the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, expanding the New Beginnings Project. This allows it to support more refugee children and families, particularly those arriving from Ukraine.
The New Beginnings Project continues to support refugee children in education, housing stability and wellbeing, with significant success rates in housing support, poverty alleviation and language support.
Nasc supported refugee students into Irish masters programmes through a scholarship initiative, highlighting commitment to higher education access and integration.
Nasc wins top place at Cork’s Lord Mayor Community and Voluntary Awards, reflecting its impact at a local and national level. It also helps launch the HSE’s Migrant Health Hub, consolidating health and support services for migrants and refugees in Cork. It also launched the first ‘Damascus to Dublin’ campaign asking people to run, walk or cycle in aid of its Community Sponsorship Programme.
Nasc issues strong statements defending humane family reunification and speaks out against restrictive policy proposals set to be contained in the EU Migration Pact.
Nasc Strategic Plan
If you’d like to know more, read our strategic plan here.