Supporting a Better Future
At Rugs.ie, we’re committed to supporting the communities around us. As a business rooted in Cork for over 30 years, we understand the importance of giving back and helping to build a brighter future for those in need. Whether it's through partnerships with local charities or global initiatives, we strive to contribute to meaningful causes that align with our values of care, compassion and responsibility.
Good Shepherd Cork
We are proud to partner with Good Shepherd Cork, a Cork based charity aimed at helping women and children who are vulnerable to homelessness. By providing services such as emergency accommodation, residential care and long-term supported housing, Good Shepherd Cork works to break the cycle of homelessness and give vulnerable families a brighter future. We are delighted to support the charity’s mission by assisting with fundraising events, collecting donations in-store and helping out with a variety of tasks including sorting through donations during busy times like Christmas.
Being a female-led business in Cork, our partnership with Good Shepherd Cork holds special meaning for us. We are deeply connected to the cause of empowering women and children, and we feel it’s our responsibility to support those in our community who are facing difficult circumstances. Working alongside Good Shepherd Cork allows us to contribute to a cause that aligns with our values and helps make a real difference to the lives of families in need.
Global Impact Through CARE & FAIR
We’re proud members of CARE & FAIR, a global initiative dedicated to fighting illegal child labour in the carpet knotting industry across India and Pakistan. By joining this programme, we’ve aligned ourselves with a cause that supports weaving families by improving access to education and healthcare.
Since 2001, CARE & FAIR has also introduced Women Empowerment programmes aimed at teaching women in India’s “Carpet Belt” crucial skills such as literacy, numeracy and sewing. These programmes empower women to contribute to their own livelihoods by becoming seamstresses, enabling them to generate income and improve the welfare of their families.
By supporting Care & Fair, we are passionate about contributing to the positive change in the global supply chain; helping to ensure fair and safe working conditions for everyone involved in the production of our rugs.
Additional Initiatives
Rugs.ie has extended its support to several other causes, reflecting our dedication to making a positive difference wherever we can.
In 2022, we supported the Abdorrahman Boroumand Centre for Human Rights at the start of the women’s rights crisis in Iran. By contributing to this cause, we stood in solidarity with those fighting for basic human rights during a critical time for women in the region.
In 2023, we donated rugs worth €30,000 to Ukrainian refugees living in substandard conditions in Ireland. These donations were aimed to help improve their living environments during a time of immense difficulty, offering a small comfort to those displaced by the conflict.
In 2024, Rugs.ie donated 10% of all sales proceeds on 1st June to the Unicef Gaza Crisis Emergency Appeal, supporting children and families affected by the ongoing crisis. We also continue to support various campaigns aimed at tackling period poverty, recognising the importance of ensuring basic needs are met for women and girls worldwide.
Looking Ahead
We are constantly exploring new ways to give back, whether through local initiatives in Cork or global partnerships that align with our values. As we continue to grow, so too will our efforts to contribute to causes that promote fairness, equality and sustainability.
In the future, we plan to expand our charitable work even further, building on the foundations we’ve set with organisations like Good Shepherd Cork and CARE & FAIR. By strengthening these partnerships and seeking out new opportunities, we aim to play an even greater role in supporting those in need, both at home and abroad.
For us, the journey towards a better future is ongoing. As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to using our platform to make a meaningful difference in the world around us.
