Apply Now: Business Area Promotion Grant 2027 (Ireland)

The DLR COCO Business Area Promotion Grant 2027 provides support to recognised Business Groups that deliver tangible outputs to generate and sustain business activity in their area. The grant is offered by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, with applications required to be submitted through the DLR COCO online portal by 23 October 2026 at 12:00 PM. Opportunity at a Glance

- Opportunity name: Business Area Promotion Grant 2027

- Funder/Provider: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (via DLR COCO)

- Opportunity type: Grant for business promotion initiatives delivered by recognised Business Groups

- Eligible applicants: Recognised Business Groups (individual businesses do not qualify)

- Geographic focus: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (Ireland) — applicants must support business activity within their remit

- Funding amount: Not specified as a total pool or per-award amount in the source

- Funding limit / cost share: Up to 75% of total project cost (ex VAT)

- Deadline: Friday, 23 October 2026 at 12:00 PM

- Opening date: Friday, 25 September 2026 at 9:00 AM

- Project timing requirement: Initiative must be held in the year of the scheme (2027)

About the Opportunity

The Business Area Promotion grants are open to recognised Business Groups aiming to fulfil objectives such as generating and sustaining business activity through tangible outputs. The grant also supports collective promotion efforts where firms in an area work together, including collaboration with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and other public agencies. In practical terms, the grant is designed to strengthen local business activity using initiatives that can demonstrate outputs such as increased footfall and coordinated promotion. Funding and Benefits Key funding rules stated in the source include:

- Maximum grant share: Funding can be for up to 75% of the total project cost (ex VAT).

- Applicant must cover the balance: Applicants must demonstrate financial capacity to deliver the activity and to fund the remaining balance.

- Proof of payment requirement for approved council funding: To claim approved Council funding, successful applicants must submit proof of payment for 100% of the expenditure for the approved project, along with appropriate proof of payment (examples listed include vouched receipts and bank statements). - Permitted use of funds: The grant must only be used for the purposes specified in the application. Any alterations require written advance approval by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Additional conditions include restrictions on promoting individuals/personal interests and requirements around acknowledgment of Council support (including branding and event invitations—see eligibility section for details). Who Is Eligible? This opportunity accepts applications only from recognised Business Groups. The source specifies the following eligibility conditions: - Only recognised Business Groups may apply. - Individual businesses do not qualify. - Application must match the grant objectives, meaning it should support: - generating and sustaining business activity through tangible outputs (e.g., increased footfall), and/or - encouraging firms in an area to work collectively to promote and sustain business activity, and/or - encouraging businesses to work with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and other public agencies. - Cost and financial capacity requirements: - The application can request up to 75% of total project cost (ex VAT). - Applicants must be able to fund the remaining balance and demonstrate financial capacity.

- One submission rule:

- Only 1 submission in each call for applications can be made by an individual association or group under the Business Promotion grant.

- Banking and governance documents:

- Applicants must have a designated bank account. - Applicants must provide a copy of their Memorandum/Articles/Constitution. - Acknowledgment and branding requirements (for successful applicants): - Council support must be clearly acknowledged. - The Council’s logo and branding must be associated with any related event, publicity, printed material, website, and social media. - Branding art-work and guidelines will be provided. - Successful applicants must invite An Cathaoirleach and/or An Leas-Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to all grant-aided events.

- No debt to the Council: Applicants must have no outstanding debt owing to the Council.

- Declaration of additional funding: Applicants must fully declare any additional Council, Government, or other agency funding at the time of application.

- Tax clearance certificate threshold:

- Applicants seeking funding exceeding €10,000 must submit a valid Tax Clearance Certificate at the time of drawdown (not specified as required at application stage; the source states “at the time of their drawdown”).

- Regulatory compliance and insurance:

- Applicants must comply with Council regulatory/statutory requirements, including obtaining necessary permits and consents if required. - Applicants should hold Public Liability insurance. - Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will not be responsible for insurance of grant-aided projects. - Use of funds restriction: Funding is strictly intended to support promotion of projects from recognised business organisations that benefit the broader business community within their remit. Under no circumstances may funding be used to promote individual persons or personal interests.

- Advance approval and project timeline:

- Applications must be made and approved in advance of the project taking place. - Funding requested must be for an initiative held in the year of the scheme.

- Post-award consequences:

- Failure to draw down funding or provide evidence of completion (including a written report on outcomes) may result in future applications not being considered. - Additional conditions specific to individual applications may be included in the Letter of Offer post-approval. Failure to meet criteria may lead to non-p