Apply Now: Sponsorship Opportunities to Promote Cohesion Funds (Ireland)

Deadline: 09-Oct-2026

EU Funds Ireland is inviting NGOs and local or community-based organisations to apply for sponsorship funding to support events and activities that promote awareness and visibility of the EU Cohesion Policy Funds across Ireland. The sponsorship scheme is designed to increase public understanding of the role and impact of Cohesion Policy funding by supporting communication, engagement, and promotional activities that reach citizens across the country. An overall fund of approximately €15,000 will be awarded across one or more funding rounds, with individual proposals eligible to receive up to €2,500.

About the EU Funds Ireland Sponsorship Scheme

The EU Funds Ireland Sponsorship Scheme supports activities that improve public awareness and understanding of the EU Cohesion Policy Funds and their contribution to communities and development across Ireland. The programme encourages NGOs and community-based organisations to develop communication and engagement activities that highlight the impact of EU-funded initiatives and help citizens better understand the objectives of Cohesion Policy. The scheme also considers the regional spread of supported activities to encourage awareness and engagement across different parts of Ireland. How Much Funding Is Available? Approximately €15,000 is available through the sponsorship scheme. Funding may be distributed over one or more rounds, depending on the selection process and available budget. The maximum sponsorship available for an individual proposal is: - Up to €2,500 per proposal Applicants should ensure that the requested amount is appropriate for the scale and proposed activities of their project or event. What Activities Can Be Supported? The sponsorship scheme can support a range of communication, engagement, and visibility activities.

Eligible activities may include:

- Engagement events. - Conferences. - Public communication activities. - Community engagement initiatives. - Capacity-building activities. - Infrastructure development, such as website enhancement. - Promotional merchandise. Activities should contribute to increasing awareness and visibility of the EU Cohesion Policy Funds and their impact in Ireland. What Are the Cohesion Policy Objectives? Applications will be assessed based partly on their alignment with one or more objectives of the Cohesion Policy 2021–2027.

Relevant objectives include:

- Improving competitiveness. - Supporting the green transition. - Strengthening connectivity. - Promoting social inclusion. - Fostering sustainable territorial development. Applicants should clearly explain how their proposed event, activity, communication initiative, or other project connects with at least one of these objectives. Who Can Apply?

The scheme is aimed at:

- Non-governmental organisations. - Local organisations. - Community-based organisations operating in Ireland. Applicants should propose activities that can help increase awareness and public visibility of the EU Cohesion Policy Funds. The ability of proposed activities to reach and engage citizens will be an important consideration. How Will Applications Be Assessed? Applications will be assessed based on their relevance to the purpose of the sponsorship scheme.

Key considerations include:

- Alignment with one or more Cohesion Policy 2021–2027 objectives. - The ability of the activity to raise awareness of Cohesion Policy Funds. - The potential to engage citizens and communities. - The communication and visibility value of the proposed activity. - Regional spread of supported activities across Ireland. Organisations should therefore demonstrate both the relevance of their proposal and the expected communication impact. Branding and Visibility Requirements Successful applicants must comply with the scheme’s branding and communication requirements. Supported organisations will be required to use: - The Government of Ireland Mark. - The EU Emblem. These branding elements must be included on relevant communication materials. Applicants must also acknowledge the co-funding associated with the supported activity and follow the required visibility guidelines. Reporting Requirements Recipients of sponsorship funding must provide timely reporting on the communication activities carried out following the supported event or activity. Organisations should therefore plan how they will document and report on: - The activities delivered. - Communication and promotional outputs. - Public engagement. - Visibility activities. - The use of required branding and acknowledgements. How to Prepare a Strong Sponsorship Proposal Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their proposed activity will increase awareness and understanding of EU Cohesion Policy Funds.

A strong proposal should explain:

- The purpose of the proposed activity. - The target audience. - How citizens or communities will be engaged. - The expected communication and visibility outcomes. - How the activity relates to one or more Cohesion Policy 2021–2027 objectives. - The requested sponsorship amount. - How the funding will be used. - How the Government of Ireland Mark and EU Emblem will be incorporated into communication materials. - How the organisation will acknowledge co-funding. - How the activity will contribute to broader awareness across Ireland. Applicants may also benefit from explaining the geographical reach of their activity, as regional spread will be considered during the selection process. Key Facts About the EU Funds Ireland Sponsorship Scheme

- Funding organisation: EU Funds Ireland

- Total funding available: Approximately €15,000

- Maximum per proposal: €2,500

- Funding type: Sponsorship

- Eligible applicants: NGOs and local or community-based organisations in Ireland

- Supported activities: Events, conferences, communication, engagement, capacity building, website enhancement, and promotional merchandise

- Main purpose: Increase awareness and visibility of EU Cohesion Policy Funds

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