Funding opportunities
Community Safety Fund 2026
Applications are now open for this annual fund, which redirects proceeds of crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and Gardaí into local projects. This year, the fund totals €4.75 million, representing a significant increase in support for community safety.
The Lidl Green Fund Now Inviting Applications
Lidl’s Ireland is giving away €100,000 in funding to community sustainability projects.
The Lidl Green Fund is designed to promote, support, and empower local sustainability community projects across Ireland to help communities actively champion sustainable living and protect the planet.
Charities, primary and secondary schools, and community groups from every county can now apply with top award of €25,000 up for grabs and a further €75,000 allocated to a number of smaller projects.
The application deadline is 18 May 2026.
SuperValu TidyTowns Competition
Since 2017, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has provided over €12 million in grant funding to TidyTowns groups nationwide. This grant is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department.
In 2025, €1.5 million in funding was announced for 987 eligible TidyTowns groups. This funding is intended to aid groups with their competition entry or to fund projects with a sustainability/climate focussed outcome.
Deadline: 11 May
National Disability Participation and Awareness Fund Launched
The fund will support people with disabilities to take part in community, sports and physical activities, arts and cultural activities, social enterprises and apprenticeships; and innovative animal-assisted approaches to inclusion and wellbeing.
The most recent round of Disability Participation and Awareness Fund grants provided funding for a variety of projects, including the opening up of canoeing clubs for people with disabilities, audio theatre workshops, disability arts festivals and a DIY wheelchair repair programme.
Charities, social enterprises and non-profit organisations working directly with disabled people can now apply for the new round of the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund, which is managed by Rethink Ireland.
Apply for the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund here.
Applications are open until 23 April.
Events and briefings
Understanding Energy Poverty: A Briefing for Charities and Community Groups
Rising energy prices are pushing a record number of households into energy poverty. The impact of this isn’t just financial; energy poverty also affects health and well-being. For charities, community groups, and community development workers on the frontlines, this crisis is impossible to ignore.
On Thursday, 23 April, the Irish Energy Poverty Observatory (IREPO)is hosting a free online briefing for charities and community groups on the causes of energy poverty, how it is measured, its impact and the realities behind the statistics.
