Fund will focus on upgrade and enhancement works to existing community centres nationwide

Funding Available

Category 1

• €10,000 – €25,000
• 5% match funding required
• 15-month delivery period

Category 2

• €25,001 – €100,000
• 10% match funding required
• 18-month delivery period

Groups may submit one application only.

---

What Can Be Funded?

Eligible works include:

• Refurbishment and repair works
• Accessibility upgrades
• Fire safety improvements
• Energy efficiency works
• Heating, plumbing and electrical upgrades
• Kitchens and toilets
• Flooring and painting
• Fixed equipment and fittings
• Storage facilities

---

What Cannot Be Funded?

The fund does not cover:

• New buildings
• Sports pitches or floodlights
• Playgrounds
• ICT equipment
• CCTV
• Vans or buses
• Car parks
• Bar facilities
• Remote working hubs

---

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Not-for-profit community and voluntary groups
• Organisations operating for at least 2 years
• Groups managing an existing community facility
• Facilities open to wider community use

Sports clubs, schools and single-purpose organisations may apply where the facility is regularly used by the wider community.

---

What Groups Need Before Applying

Groups should prepare:

• Quotes for works
• Match funding
• Lease/ownership documents
• Planning permission (if required)
• Before photos
• Constitution/governance documents

Only one quote per project element over €5,000 is required at application stage.

---

Key Dates

• Applications Open: 29 May 2026
• Closing Date: 13 July 2026

Late or draft applications will not be accepted.

---

How Applications Will Be Assessed

Applications will be assessed under:

• Need and quality of proposal – 40%
• Community demand and impact – 40%
• Governance and delivery capacity – 20%

Strong applications will clearly show:

• Community need
• High levels of use
• Clear impact
• Good governance
• A realistic and well-planned project