About Us

Who we are

Who we are

Cairde is a community health development organisation working across Ireland.

We are dedicated to reducing health inequalities among minority ethnic communities in Ireland.

This aim is achieved by improving minority ethnic access to health services and minority ethnic participation in health planning and delivery.

Our Mission

Cairde is deeply committed to working with disadvantaged minority ethnic communities in Ireland from all over the world.

Our mission is threefold:

  • Reducing health inequalities among minority ethnic communities.
  • Improving access to health services.
  • Increasing minority ethnic participation in health planning and delivery, including our Roma Education Programme.

This mission will be achieved via actions implemented in the delivery of primary healthcare, such as the Intercultural Health Strategy, National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, to disadvantaged minority ethnic communities in Ireland.

About Us

Our story

Cairde, founded in September 1985, initially supported people with HIV through befriending, training workshops, and a helpline. By 1997, they expanded to assist families affected by heroin use and HIV. In 1999, migrants began accessing their services, prompting the establishment of an initiative for ethnic minority communities. In 2003, Cairde exclusively targeted migrant communities due to declining demand for HIV-related services. They then focused on building the leadership and organizational capacity of new communities, as well as improving their access to health and public services. Finally, in 2008, Cairde shifted its services to concentrate on health advocacy.

Our Partners