Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund Review and new Similar Access Requirement Published
Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education on 3rd April 2024 published a review of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), along with a new policy requirement on implementing similar access for men and women to sports facilities funded under the LSSIF. In view of the slower than anticipated project completion rates, due mainly to Covid 19 and construction inflation, a review of all LSSIF projects was undertaken. The review outlines the issues faced by LSSIF projects to date, and provides recommendations in relation to a new round of LSSIF. The five recommendations range from guiding principles in respect of maximising the use of Large-Scale Sports Facilities, naming rights of stadiums, and the level of grant aid received by projects. Read more here: https://grantsandfunding.ie/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-review-and-new-similar-access-requirement-published/ |
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SFI Science Week Call 2024 – EventsThe purpose of the Science Week Call is to provide support to Festivals and Events nationwide that support public engagement, communities underrepresented in, or those with less access to STEM to engage in ways that are relevant and accessible during Science Week and beyond in creative ways. Science Week 2024 takes place from the 10th -17th November. Deadline: 1pm 15th April 2024 for events (Festival deadline has passed) More info: https://www.sfi.ie/funding/funding-calls/sfi-science-week-call/ |
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LAWPRO Catchment Support Fund 2024The LAWPRO Catchment Support Fund aims to build the capacity of non- governmental organisations working in the area of water quality in Ireland by providing funding towards their core costs. This funding would provide support to: • develop and strengthen the skills, processes, and resources that catchment organisations need to survive, adapt, and thrive. • water quality focused organisations who play a key role in the protection and restoration of the river and stream network of Ireland and help in achieving the objectives of national policy and plans. Deadline: 5pm 16th April 2024 More info: https://consult.watersandcommunities.ie/en/content/lawpro-catchment-support-fund-2024 |
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Human Rights and Equality Grant SchemeThe Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission’s 2024-25 Human Rights and Equality Grant Scheme is now open. The purpose of the grants scheme is to support projects by civil society and trade unions that promote human rights and equality. A total of €350,000 is available for projects. Grants Scheme Strands The 2024-25 Grants Scheme’s themes are informed by the Commission’s strategic priorities set out in its Strategy Statement 2022-24. This year the Grants Scheme will support projects under the following strands:
Funding Streams: Funding is available for small and general grants:
Deadline: 3pm Thursday 18 April 2024. More info: https://www.ihrec.ie/our-work/human-rights-and-equality-grants-scheme/ |
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Conservation Grants Open CallGalway Atlantaquaria announces open call for small scale grant funding for Community Projects Galway Atlantaquaria is Ireland’s largest Native Species Aquarium, which celebrates Education, Awareness and Conservation of our Ocean and Life under Water. The Aquarium is delighted to announce that it will fund up to 5 small scale conservation projects nationwide again this year, which can focus on education and engagement; native species and habitats; or involve a local community or community group, with a special focus on marine or freshwater. The primary aim of these grants is to support and encourage the next generation, or individuals already involved in this area of work, but struggling to fund the work they are doing. The Aquarium would also welcome novel projects based on Art or Music, which use creative methods to engage audiences. Deadline: 5pm on 19th April 2024 More info: https://nationalaquarium.ie/smallgrants2024/ |
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Léargas Microgrant SchemeAs part of European Youth Week 2024, Léargas is launching a Microgrant Scheme to welcome newcomers to European funding and increase awareness about the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programmes. The scheme will offer €5,000 grants to non-profit organisations working with young people (ages 13–30) such as youth organisations, secondary schools, community centres, community development, clubs, etc. The Microgrant Scheme is a fantastic way for organisations to gain experience applying for European funding and to engage in small short-term projects. Applications will open on 12th April and close 19th April. The grant will fund projects taking place between June – September 2024. Deadline: 19th April 2024 More info: https://www.leargas.ie/news/leargas-microgrant-scheme/ |
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Energy For Generations FundCharities working in the areas of suicide prevention, homelessness and education access and support can apply to the Fund for project specific funding. Three times a year, ESB allocates an amount from the Fund for disbursement. The amount may vary because of the volume of applications received or seasonal considerations – wintertime and Christmas may require more funding than summer. Applications submitted during each round are appraised with funding allocated accordingly. Deadline: April 22nd 2024 and August 19th 2024 |
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Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Impact Programme 2024Are you one of Ireland’s highest-potential social entrepreneurs? Do you have what it takes to make real change across the country? Impact Programme is a nine-month programme of bespoke supports to help you to bring your solution and organisation to the next level, with a view to becoming even more impactful, effective, scalable and sustainable. Five social entrepreneur led organisations will be selected to participate in the Impact Programme. As an Impact Programme Awardee your organisation will receive direct funding of €20,000 alongside supports designed around your individual needs and the goals you identify at the start of the programme. As an awardee you will also join Ireland’s largest community of social entrepreneurs working across the country to solve Ireland’s social and environmental problems. Deadline: 24th April 2024 More info: https://www.socialentrepreneurs.ie/our-programmes/impact-programme/ |
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Wildwalls – Biodiversity in SchoolsWildwalls is a nature-themed design competition for young people administered by Biodiversity in Schools and sponsored by Ecocem who provide low carbon cement technologies. Young people across Ireland are invited to design a wall mural for their school that raises awareness of biodiversity issues but also integrates features to support local wildlife. Open to pre, primary, secondary and homeschools in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. €5000 worth of prizes to be won Deadline: Tuesday 30th April 2024 More info: https://www.biodiversityinschools.com/wildwalls.html |
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Bord na Móna Upcycling Competition for SchoolsCalling all schools! Bord na Móna Recycling has launched the 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, offering schools across Ireland the chance to win €5000. The students from the winning class will also receive a guided tour of Bord na Móna’s Lough Boora Discovery Park as well as Bord na Móna Mountlucas Wind Farm in Offaly. Students are encouraged to repurpose discarded materials into innovative and functional creations. Participants will use materials that would typically be considered waste or discarded items. Deadline: 1st May 2024 More info: https://www.bnmrecycling.ie/home/schools/ |
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Arts and Disability ConnectThe Arts and Disability Connect scheme is designed to support artists with disabilities to be ambitious, to develop their practice and to connect with arts organisations and arts professionals in Ireland. There are four different strands within the scheme: Mentoring (€3,000), Training (€1,000), New Work (€15,000), and Research and Development (€5,000). Deadline: 4pm, Tuesday 07 May 2024 More info: https://www.artscouncil.ie/Funds/Arts-and-Disability-Connect/ |
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Arts in Education initiative – BLAST 2024/25BLAST aims to provide pupils in schools all over the country, time and the space to work with a professional artist/creative practitioner on imaginative and joyful projects. BLAST is a key Department of Education initiative of the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027 which aims to foster creativity in schools focus and to provide young people with opportunities to learn and develop the key skills and competencies of collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. Innovative BLAST residencies are designed and developed between the artist/creative practitioner, teacher, students and the school community under the coordination of the 21 full-time Education Support Centres Ireland (ESCI) network. Deadline: Friday 10th May 2024 |
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European Youth Foundation Pilot Activity GrantPilot activity grants refer to projects that
Pilot activities are flexible in their format and may utilise a range of approaches, such as youth meetings, capacity building sessions, awareness raising actions, meetings with experts, local workshops, local actions, visits, campaigns, workshops in schools, festivals etc. The maximum grant for a Pilot Activity is €15 000. Deadline: 15th May 2024 More info: https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-youth-foundation/pilot-activity |
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The Wheel’s Training Links ProgrammeTraining Links funds and supports networks of community and voluntary organisations to undertake training together. Since 2005 The Wheel’s Training Links Programme has supported the training and development needs of nonprofit workers. This includes volunteers and employees of charities, community and voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Training Links has funded the establishment of 111 Training Networks involving in excess of 50,000 workers and 1,189 community and voluntary organisations. Training Networks are invited to apply for grants ranging from €10,000.00 to €50,000.00. Deadline: 5pm on Friday, 17 May 2024 More info: https://www.wheel.ie/training/traininglinks |
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United By Sport – Adidas FoundationUnited By Sport strives to leverage the transformational power of sport to promote equality and fight hate and discrimination which can come in all its forms, spanning various grounds such as religion or belief, racial or ethnic origin, gender, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation and more. The United by Sport program has been created to provide support to organisations that fight such hate and discrimination through sport or in the sport sector. GENERAL PROGRAMMING FUNDING – General operational support of up to €50,000 per year for a maximum of three years. PROJECT SPECIFIC FUNDING – Proposals for funding ranging from a minimum amount of €150,000 to a maximum amount of €700,000. Deadline: May 31st, 2024 |
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RISE Community FundThe RISE Community Fund supported by National Broadband Ireland and Granahan McCourt is aimed at addressing the rural digital divide and will award 5 monthly grants of €1,000 each to empower local businesses, community groups, farms and social enterprises to enhance their digital strategy. The Fund offers an immediate financial injection into your local community, boosting the digital ecosystem. The remaining counties are: Meath, Kildare and Dublin Deadline – 31st May 2024 More info: https://riseglobalfoundation.com/programs/rise-community-fund/ |
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Movement for Good 2024
Ecclesiastical and Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards is back. Now in its sixth year, the awards are giving charities across the UK and Ireland the opportunity to receive €1,000. The Movement for Good Awards will once again see more than €1million donated to good causes and from today, people can quickly and easily nominate a charity online at www.movementforgood.com. The Movement for Good Awards has donated over £5million to charities in the UK and Ireland since the initiative started in 2019. Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. There will also be a series of special draws where charities operating within specific sectors can be nominated to receive a grant of €5,000, the timetable of draws can be viewed at www.movementforgood.com and donations will be announced throughout the year.
Deadline – Ongoing with monthly draws More info: https://movementforgood.com |
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Free Food Growing Kits for Schools
SuperValu, and not-for-profit social enterprise, GIY have teamed up for the second year to bring the ‘SuperValu Let’s GROW’ programme to another 50,000 primary school children throughout Ireland this spring. This means that 100,000 primary school children will have been educated in growing food through the ‘SuperValu Let’s GROW’ initiative, having been supplied with the resources to grow their own fresh food for free at school. The partnership aims to elevate the significance of homegrown food within classrooms and households across Ireland. Deadline: While supplies last More info: https://grantsandfunding.ie/schools-can-now-register-for-free-food-growing-kits/ |
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The Reach Fund 2024
SOLAS and the network of Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are now inviting community education providers to apply for funding through the 2024 Reach Fund. The Reach Fund delivers funding to improve access and supports for educationally disadvantaged learners who participate in community education programmes across Ireland. The overarching aim of this fund is to increase the participation of disadvantaged learners in education, particularly those who are undertaking literacy and skills programmes. Community Education providers can apply for funding across several categories including learner assistance, green projects, support for refuge groups and digital supports. Applications can be made by community education groups by completing a funding application available through adult education providers in your local ETB.
More info: https://www.solas.ie/reach-fund/ |
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Artist in the Community Scheme
Are you an artist working collaboratively with a community? Are you an artist or community group with an interest in working on a collaborative, socially engaged project? The Arts Council’s Artist in the Community (AIC) Scheme, managed by Create, offers awards to enable artists and communities of place and/or interest to work together on projects. The AIC Scheme also offers an annual bursary, as well as residencies and a summer school. The AIC scheme is open to artists from any of the following artform disciplines: architecture, circus, street art and spectacle, dance, film, literature (Irish and English language), music, opera, theatre, visual arts and traditional arts. Deadline: 5pm Mon 30th September (Round Two) More info: https://www.create-ireland.ie/aic-scheme-2024-round-one-open-for-applications/ |
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2024 Walks Scheme Expansion
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, announced that 62 new walking trails across the country are approved in principle to join the Walks Scheme in February 2024. The expansion recognises the importance of the scheme in delivering high quality trails. A key action in Embracing Irelands Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, is to expand the Walks Scheme to 150 trails by end 2024. In light of this, a Call for Expressions of Interest to join the Walks Scheme has now opened. Closing date for Expressions of Interest is 11th October 2024. All applications must be made through your Local Development Company. Deadline for Expressions of Interest is 11th October 2024. More info: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/942b4b-the-walks-scheme-and-rural-recreation-officers/ |
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Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme
The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme offers financial supports – provided by Sport Ireland – to local clubs, groups and organisations, nationwide who promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people.
Some of the Sport Initiatives supported are: Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme Offers financial supports to local clubs, groups and organisations, nationwide. FitLine A telephone mentoring service which encourages callers to start getting more active- we’re only a phone call away!
Physical Activity Leaders An education and peer leadership initiative which trains older people how to lead sport and activity sessions in their local groups and communities.
CarePALS Trains those working in care settings to lead suitable physical activities.
People with intellectual disability Physical Activity Leaders Enabling people with intellectual disability (ID) to become physical activity leaders.
Walking Football initiative An Age & Opportunity initiative for older men that is great craic and good for general health and wellbeing.
European Week of Sport Promoting sport and physical activity across Europe.
Go For Life Games Teams from all over Ireland coming together to take part in a national day of sport in June every year.
More info: https://ageandopportunity.ie/active/age-and-opportunity-active-national-grant-scheme/ |
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2024 Community Recognition Fund Launched
The Minister for Rural & Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, together with her colleague Minister Joe O Brien, have announced a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund. The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced last year to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in supporting cities, towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries. Under the announcement, a further €50 million is being provided again to deliver projects over 2024 and 2025. Local authorities, in collaboration with communities, will be funded to develop projects that will deliver long term benefits to those living in the areas selected.
Projects that will be funded include:
Deadline: Varies according to Local Authority (LA), so start planning now and be ready to submit by late April, early May to be on the safe side. We’ll bring details as soon as all LAs have announced their deadlines. Read more: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/e626a-community-recognition-fund-2023/ |
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Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2024
Following from the success of last year’s Grants, the Parent and Toddler Group Grants Initiative 2024 will offer two streams of funding: 1. Funding of €800 for existing Groups and €1,000 for the establishment of new Groups. 2. Funding of up to €300 to establish and operate Buggy Walking Groups. These Buggy Walking Groups are organised social walks for parents/guardians and young children. This stream is open to any existing or new organisations or Groups who wish to offer a minimum of six organised walks within their community. Parent and Toddler Groups are invited to make an application for funding under this Initiative through their local City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs). To find yours visit myccc.ie. Deadline: Varies per county, mid April to early May. Check with your local City/County Childcare Committee More info: https://grantsandfunding.ie/parent-and-toddler-group-grants-initiative-2024-launched/ |
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LEADER Funding
The 2023-2027 LEADER programme will soon be opening for applications. Now is a good time to begin making preparations for any potential funding applications. To get a good insight into projects supported in the past, this booklet produced by CAP Network Ireland (formerly National Rural Network) has an excellent compilation of case studies: LEADER Programme 2014-2020 Case Studies from Ireland. Hopefully you can gain some inspiration from that. Of course we’ll be bringing you updates as soon as the programme opens for applications. Stay tuned! |
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International |
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| Many funding opportunities are open to other countries Worldwide and therefore may be more competitive, but don’t let that deter you, they’re always worth a look at. | |
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iF Social Impact Prize
The iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE supports projects that contribute to improving our society. If you work towards achieving one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, your project is eligible. Applying is free of charge. Every year iF Design donates EUR 100,000 to support the best projects submitted to the iF SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE. Your project should already be established and you can apply with the same project a maximum of two times. Student concepts will not be accepted. Deadline: April 24th, 2024 |
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Student Mini Grants to address the plastic crisis
Editor’s note: I like the approach to this funding due to the novel actions required at no.2 below.
These mini-grants administered by The Wayfinder Society are available to students worldwide looking for financial support for their personal education, school and community projects, internships, networking events, etc. connected to addressing the plastic crisis. Mini-grants range from $300 – $2000. To apply students must:
Deadline: April 15th, 2024, 5pm PT (April 16th, 1am Irish time) More info: https://algalita.org/wayfinder-society/student-hub/student-mini-grant/ |
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Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme
The Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme provides funding for the implementation of large-scale restoration initiatives that restore and harness ecosystem processes, bring back nature to degraded landscapes and seascapes, and revitalise local economies. Projects funded by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme are sources of inspiration, models of good practice, and foci for lesson-learning. Deadline: for Expression of Interest 22:59 GMT on the 30th April 2024. More info: https://www.endangeredlandscapes.org/about/funding-opportunities/ |
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Patagonia Environmental Grants
Patagonia supports environmental organisations with bold, direct-action agendas and a commitment to long-term change. They support innovative work that addresses the root causes of the environmental crisis and seeks to protect both the environment and affected communities. Deadlines: May 31st & September 30th 2024 and January 31st 2025 More info: https://eu.patagonia.com/ie/en/how-we-fund/ |
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ProVeg Grants
The ProVeg Grants program is accelerating the transformation of our food system by providing support for organisations involved in this vital work. Since 2019, ProVeg International has provided more than 500 grants to organisations and individuals in over 70 countries. They provide both financial support and assistance with capacity-building. ProVeg Grants offers financial support of between $5,000 and $50,000 per year. Deadline: Quarterly – 1st June 2024, 1st September, 1st December 2024 More info: https://proveg.org/advocacy/grants/ |