Communities, groups and organisations are invited to submit Expressions of Interest for the Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2026.
The scheme supports projects that help regenerate towns and villages, improve public spaces, boost local economic activity, and enhance quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
📅 Closing date for Expressions of Interest: 5pm, Friday 13th November 2026
If you have an idea for a project that could positively impact your local town or village, encourages you to apply.
For the Scheme Outline and Expression of Interest form, visit the link below.
The Music Capital Scheme, which is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments and selected items of equipment to individual professional musicians and non-professional groups across the country.
A total of €500,000 in funding is available through the following awards which are now open for applications:
Award 1 - Non-professional performing groups
Award 2 - Individual established professional performing musicians
Award 3 – Individual emerging professional performing musicians
The deadline for applications is 2pm, Tuesday 15 December 2026.
The Catchment Support Fund was rolled out by River Basin Management Service for 2024 on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The purpose of the fund is to build the capacity of catchment partnerships in support of the delivery of the third cycle River Basin Management Plan by providing grants for their core costs.
This funding call will build the capacity of non-governmental organisations working in the area of water quality in Ireland by providing funding toward organisational running costs and core costs.
A free webinar for sports club committee members involved in grant applications, particularly the Community Sports Facility Fund. Led by Adam McCormick, Public Funding Consultant with 2into3, the session will provide guidance on funding eligibility, application requirements, scoring criteria, and how to maximise the chances of a successful application. Adam brings extensive experience supporting clubs to develop strong projects and submit high-quality funding applications.
Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, has launched the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2026, a national programme designed to support the revitalisation of rural towns and villages. The scheme aims to strengthen town centres by encouraging economic and social regeneration, improving streetscapes, enhancing public spaces, and bringing vacant or derelict buildings back into use for community purposes.
The 2026 scheme provides funding for projects that promote sustainable employment, improve town centre resilience, support community facilities, and incorporate climate action measures. Since its introduction in 2016, the scheme has helped fund almost 2,000 projects across Ireland, contributing significantly to the renewal of rural communities and helping make towns and villages more vibrant places to live, work and visit.
Expression of Interest deadline: 5pm, Friday 13 November 2026
The Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme (CEIGS) is a Government of Ireland initiative led by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which provides support to projects advancing the circular economy in Ireland and raising awareness of the need to transition to a circular economy.
The programme supports organisations in developing, demonstrating and scaling practical circular economy solutions that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and contribute to key national strategic circularity objectives, such as those outlined in the
The AI for Good Fund is a €1.75 million, 12-month fund supported by Google.org and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) via the Dormant Accounts Fund.
The AI for Good Fund aims to support not-for-profit organisations to build pathways for responsible AI learning and adoption.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2027 (BHIS) is for the repair and conservation of structures that are protected under the Planning and Development Acts.
This scheme aims to support:
Grants of between €2,500 and €50,000 are available.
The 1916 Bursary aims to encourage participation and success by students who are most socio-economically disadvantaged and from groups most under-represented in higher education.
Applications for 2026/2027 will open for applications on Thursday, 3 September at 9.00am and will close on Friday, 9 October at 5.00pm.
To submit your application when the 1916 Bursary opens for applications, please click on the portal link below.
The Children’s Active Play Fund is a three year fund aimed at supporting children and young people across Ireland get active, stay healthy, and have fun.
This €1.5 million fund is created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with the Sunflower Charitable Foundation and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht via the Dormant Accounts Fund.
The fund is open to charitable organisations delivering innovative projects that encourage movement, activity and social connections, making it easier and more enjoyable for young people to lead active lives.
The fund offers a package of cash grants and non-financial supports for up to eight projects to help them expand and increase their social impact.
The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides capital supports essential for many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas.
The Programme was first launched in 2018 as the Community Enhancement Programme and funding was ring-fenced for Men’s Sheds in 2018, and for both Men’s and Women’s Sheds in 2019.
In 2020 the programme provided funding under the COVID-19 Emergency Fund to support community groups to adapt their services and operations and to become more involved in the Government’s ‘Keep Well’ campaign. It also provided capital funding to support the maintenance, improvement and upkeep of community centres and community buildings.
Dr. Sinead McGrath Memorial International Development Scholarship – Applications Open
Maynooth University is now accepting applications for the Dr. Sinead McGrath Memorial Scholarship for the 2026/27 academic year. The scholarship offers a €2,500 bursary to one student studying a Master's programme through the Centre for Global Development.
Local authorities may assist you in finding accommodation in the private market if you qualify for long term rent supplement and have a qualified housing need. The local authority will pay the landlord and you will pay a rent contribution to the local authority.
Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is a social housing support introduced to cater for the accommodation needs of persons who are in receipt of long-term rent supplement.
Persons normally must be in receipt of rent supplement for a minimum period of 18 months and be assessed as having a long-term housing need.
Under the RAS scheme, private rented properties provide an additional source of good quality rental accommodation for eligible persons.
Local Action Groups may provide financial support to community and voluntary groups and businesses to develop rural tourism, enterprise development, broadband and renewable energy projects to improve rural economies and the quality of life in rural areas.
The LEADER programme has been operating in Ireland and across EU Member States for over 30 years. Over the three decades of its existence, the programme has supported the development of a wide range of innovative and sustainable projects that have brought increased jobs and vibrancy to rural communities across the EU. Local Action Groups may provide financial support to community and voluntary groups and businesses to develop rural tourism, enterprise development, broadband and renewable energy projects to improve rural economies and the quality of life in rural areas.
Our sector must be heard at European level and have the capacity to engage in EU programmes.
Many Irish community and voluntary organisations seek information on European funding and policies but don’t know where to start. Our EU hub is here to help!
On the 6th December 2023 Minister Humphreys announced capital funding of €1 million for Women’s Groups. This funding is ring-fenced under the new €6 million Local Enhancement Programme 2024, and builds on the €100,000 ring-fenced funding announced last October 2022, to support the growing network of Women’s Sheds.
Women’s Sheds were also eligible to apply for funding under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP). The €6 million LEP was set up to support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with minor capital works and improvements to their facilities, and the purchase of equipment for community use.
The funding may be used, but was not limited to; improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.
The fund is administered by the Local Community Development Committee (LCDCs) within each Local Authority area, on behalf of the Department. Each LCDC advertised the fund and it is now closed to applicants.
The number of Women’s Sheds being set up across the country is on the rise, and the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) have committed to assisting the Women’s Sheds in building a similar successful organisation.
The IMSA contact details are located here
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) also provide supports to Women’s Sheds, for example in facilitating training courses and holding focus groups. This support remains available through SICAP.
Separately, funding under the LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group or sector in rural communities. It is, rather, focused on a thematic approach to rural development. The budget for the LEADER programme is allocated for the duration of the programme rather than on an annual basis to allow more flexibility in the allocation of funding, to the Local Action Group delivering the programme.
Organisations, such as Women’s Sheds, may be eligible for LEADER funding but in the first instance contact should be made with the local implementing partner.
Contact details for the Implementing Partners are available on the Department’s website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups/.
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.
Aims & Objectives:
The LIFE programme’s main goals are to:
What does it support?
LIFE funds projects that address issues within its four sub-programmes:
Who can apply?
Entities with an environmental and/or climate mission (including nature/biodiversity and clean energy transition) such as:
Application forms for Carlow County Council grants and funding schemes are available here, along with information on the range of grants and supports provided by the Carlow Local Enterprise Office.
There are a range of different investment schemes and supports available for rural and community development. This page features a brief description of each as well as links to the individual services and how to apply for them.
Patricia Duffe
Fiona Broadbery
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