Funding Programmes

12 projects in areas that currently lack a community centre will receive between €1 million and €6 million to build brand new facilities.

A further €50 million has been allocated to the Community Recognition Fund, which was introduced last year to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.

A new €4.5 million funding package will include funding to develop a network of Town Teams that will “make their area a better place to live, work, visit and invest in”.

A former bakery, a vacant garda station and a disused schoolhouse are among 24 derelict and vacant sites nationwide that will be given a new lease of life thanks to a €4.5 million funding boost.

The 2023 CLÁR Programme is to provide a total of €6.2 million in funding for 152 schools, community and sports projects nationwide. Funding of €174,934 has been specifically provided for four projects on offshore islands in counties Galway and Mayo.

The Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) is running a competition with €45,000 in prizes for social enterprises that best demonstrate their social impact. The application process was designed to be as straight-forward and user-friendly as possible and the deadline is coming fast – Sunday, December 10th.

The Dormant Accounts Fund will provide over €11.3 million to the Department of Rural and Community Development for Rethink Ireland, social inclusion, and other measures geared at addressing disadvantage

Pobal is celebrating 30 years in operation this year. It has expanded rapidly and now has over 700 staff in 12 office locations around the country. In 2022, it distributed €901m on behalf of government departments to thousands of community groups. It's CEO, Anna Shakespeare, is clear, however, that the agency's 30th anniversary celebrations are not about Pobal as such, but about the communities they serve.