Applications open for Community Grants Scheme 2027 (Ireland)

Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council offers a 2027 Community Grants Scheme to support community, recreational, sporting, and cultural opportunities for people who live, work, and visit County Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown. The scheme provides small-scale, percentage-based grants to help local not-for-profit groups match their resources for local projects and events. Funding is subject to availability, and all required supporting documentation must be submitted online with the application. Opportunity at a Glance

- Provider: Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council (dlr)

- Opportunity name: Community Grants Scheme 2027 Guidelines

- Funding type: Percentage-of-cost grants (“based on a percentage of the cost” with specified maximums)

- Eligible applicants: Locally based community and voluntary groups/organisations (not-for-profit), including registered/in-registration Public Participation Network (PPN)

- Eligible locations: Projects taking place in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown

- Funding availability: Funding is subject to availability

- Application window / deadline: 23 October 2026

- Project/claiming timeframe: Budget allocated yearly from January to December; grants must be claimed by the drawdown deadline stated in the approval letter (late claims are not considered after that deadline)

About the Opportunity

The aim of the Community Grants Scheme is to support the dlr Corporate Goal of “Providing quality community, recreational, sporting and cultural opportunities for all who live, work and visit the county.” The scheme is designed to address difficulties local community groups face in accessing funding to match their own resources for local community projects and events. Funding and Benefits

Community grants are:

- Payable based on a percentage of costs up to the maximum amount for the relevant grant type. - Only payable after the council’s Terms and Conditions are complied with and supporting documentation is received. - Subject to evidence and reporting requirements, including receipts/quotes (where required) and a brief report on outcomes of the project/event. Grant funding levels (by grant category) The guidelines specify different grant amounts and percentages depending on whether the project is in a Disadvantaged Area (DA) or Non-DA target area/type: - Community Facilities Grants (includes Feasibility Study and Upgrading Facilities) - Feasibility Study Grant

- DA: €5,000 or 80% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Non DA: €5,000 or 70% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Upgrading Facilities Grant

- DA: €5,000 or 80% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Non DA: €5,000 or 70% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Community Activity Grants - Community Activities

- DA: €1,000 or 80% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Non DA: €1,000 or 70% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- The guidelines note examples not covered (not exhaustive): personal items (e.g., medals, uniforms), perishable items (e.g., food and refreshments), and inflatable devices. - Summer Project Grants (supervised programmes of week-long activities for young people, in person and/or online) - Requires a draft programme of activities submitted with the application

- Minimum delivery: five full days out of every seven-day period

- Funding amounts (DA and Non DA):

- 1 week: €800

- 2 weeks: €1,600

- 3 weeks: €2,400

- Community Development Grants - Start-Up Grants (for new community groups established within the previous 6 months and engaged with the PPN)

- DA and Non DA: Up to a maximum of €800

- Running Costs (for existing community groups, including Age Friendly groups, where no alternative funding is available)

- DA: €1,200 or 80% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Non DA: €1,200 or 70% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Training for Community Development

- DA: €1,000 or 80% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Non DA: €1,000 or 70% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Community Development Initiatives

- DA: €3,000 or 80% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Non DA: €3,000 or 70% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Equipment Major - Applicants can avail of this grant only once every 3 years

- DA: €4,000 or 80% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Non DA: €3,000 or 70% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Equipment Minor

- DA: €1,500 or 80% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Non DA: €1,500 or 70% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

- Equipment note: Mobile digital devices supporting online service provision (e.g., laptops and tablets) may be considered.

- Age Friendly Grants - Available to community groups/organisations and non-government organisations (NGOs) delivering supports and initiatives to enhance the quality of life of older people living in and visiting Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown - Priority will be given to initiatives aligned with the dlr Age Friendly Strategy 2022–2026, including work addressing: - digital poverty and digital literacy - support for online events for older people

- Restrictions / scope notes:

- If an Age Friendly group is applying for Running Costs, it must apply under Community Development Grants (3.2 Running Costs). - Funding is restricted to projects/events not already covered under other grant categories. - The grant does not apply to salaries or mileage costs.

- Funding cap:

- DA and Non DA: maximum grant is €10,000 or 80% of cost (whichever is the lesser)

Cost-sharing requirement - Grants are awarded as a percentage of eligible costs up to the maximum for the grant type (typically up to 70% or 80% depending on DA status). - Applicants must explain in the online application how the remaining 30% or 20% will be funded by the applicant. Who Is Eligible? The guidelines specify that eligible applicants are: - Locally based community and voluntary groups/organisations - Not-for-profit groups/organisations - Groups/organisations that can demonstrate: - an inclusive and transparent ethos - work addressing issues/target groups identified in the dlr Local Economic Community Plan (LECP) 2023–2028 - a commitment to good pract