Apply now for Sports Development Grant 2027 (Ireland)

The DLR COCO (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council) Sports Development Grant 2027 provides funding to support new sports activities, equipment purchases, and increased sport access for youth at risk in designated disadvantaged communities. Applications open on 25 September 2026 at 9:00 AM and close on 23 October 2026 at 12:00 PM. Grant amounts vary by category, with equipment grants covering either a percentage of costs or a maximum amount. Opportunity at a Glance

- Programme name: Sports Development Grant 2027

- Funding organisation: DLR COCO (Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)

- Opportunity type: Grant funding across three categories (development, equipment, and access)

- Application opening date: 25 September 2026 at 9:00 AM

- Application deadline: 23 October 2026 at 12:00 PM (time zone not specified in the source)

- Eligible applicants: Sports clubs/organisations (further eligibility requirements are available via the downloadable eligibility list—see “How to Apply”)

- Eligible geography: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (focus stated for community/sport development)

- Funding limits (by category):

- Sports Development Grants: up to €1,000 or 50% of the cost (whichever applies per the scheme description)

- Minor Equipment Grants: up to €1,500 or 70% of the cost (whichever is lesser); 80% for Identified Areas of Disadvantage (IAD)

- Major Equipment Grants: up to €3,000 or 70% of the cost (whichever is lesser); €4,000 or 80% for IAD

- Sports Access Grants: funding for projects supporting increased sporting activities for youth at risk in designated disadvantaged communities (amount not specified in the source)

- Notable restriction: Applicants receiving a major equipment grant will not be eligible to apply for a further major equipment grant for 3 years

- Assessment approach (high level): Council priorities/objectives, proposal/community benefit, sustainability, and value for money (see “Application” criteria)

About the Opportunity

The Sports Development Grant 2027 is assessed under three separate categories, each designed to strengthen sports participation and capability within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown: - Sports Development Grants support sports clubs/organisations to implement and develop new activities and initiatives. - Sports Equipment Grants co-fund equipment that helps people become more active and play sport, with a focus on the benefits, intended users, and how equipment will increase participation. - Sports Access Grants support projects that help increase sporting activities for youth at risk within designated disadvantaged communities, with the goal of building more resilient sporting habits and positive attitudes. Funding and Benefits Funding levels depend on the selected category: - Sports Development Grants - Generally awarded up to a maximum of €1,000 or 50% of the cost. - Sports Equipment Grants (split into two subcategories) - Minor Equipment Grants - Funding for equipment up to €1,500 or 70% of the cost, whichever is the lesser. - 80% for Identified Areas of Disadvantage (IAD). - Major Equipment Grants - Funding for equipment up to €3,000 or 70% of the cost, whichever is the lesser. - €4,000 or 80% for IAD. - Major-to-minor / re-application restriction - If an applicant receives a major equipment grant, they will not be eligible to apply for a further major equipment grant for 3 years. - Grant payment adjustment - If the cost of the equipment is less than the grant amount offered, the grant payment will be reduced accordingly. - Sports Access Grants - Aims to help increase sporting activities for youth at risk in designated disadvantaged communities and support more positive, resilient sporting habits.

- Amount and payment limits: Not specified in the source.

Who Is Eligible? The source states that eligibility is governed by a full list of eligibility requirements available to download (link labelled “here”). It also specifies the following eligibility principles: - Applications that do not meet all eligibility requirements will be refused and will not proceed to assessment. - The categories are intended for sports clubs/organisations (as stated under Sports Development Grants and implied across categories). Additional mandatory eligibility rules and exclusions are not specified in the provided text and must be checked in the downloadable eligibility document. Eligible Activities or Priority Areas Supported activity types align with the three categories:

- Sports Development Grants: Implementation and development of new sports activities and initiatives by sports clubs/organisations.

- Sports Equipment Grants: Co-funding equipment intended to increase participation. Applicants should focus on:

- the benefits of the equipment, - who it is aimed at, and - how it will help people become more active. - Sports Access Grants: Projects that increase sporting activities for youth at risk within designated disadvantaged communities, supporting resilient sporting habits and more positive attitudes among young people. Why This Opportunity Matters This grant scheme directly supports organisations working to increase sports participation and improve access, particularly by: - funding new sports-related initiatives (development grants), - removing barriers to participation through equipment support (equipment grants), and - prioritising community impact where youth at risk and designated disadvantaged communities are involved (access grants). The assessment approach also highlights community benefit, sustainability, and value for money, suggesting applications should clearly connect proposed sports activities to measurable community outcomes. How to Apply - Review eligibility requirements Download and read the full eligibility requirements list using the link labelled “here” in the source. - Prepare your proposal for the relevant category Choose the category that best matches your activity: - Sports Development Grants - Sports Equipment Grants (Minor or Major) - Sports Access Grants - Su