Attention Community Providers

Did you know that there are two local council grants, the Local Enhancement Programme 2025 and the Development Fund Initiative 2025, which are currently open for applications from community groups. 

Services can apply for both, and funding is available for different types of projects, including funding to cover running costs. 

Please contact 074 9172341 / 087 1141094 should you require any assistance with your application.

See below for more information.

The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 : 

https://www.donegalcoco.ie/en/services/community/funding-programmes-and-grants/local-enhancement-programme-2025

Rules

Local Enhancement Programme 2025 is open for application under three categories as follows:

  • Small Grant Running/Operating Costs (up to €500)
    Grant for day-to-day operating/running costs (energy, insurance, heating costs etc.) for expenditure during period 1st June 2023-30th May 2025.
  • Small Capital Grant (€500- €1,000)
    Grant for the Purchase of equipment, refurbishment or upgrade works for expenditure during period 6th January 2025 – 28th November 2025
  • Large Capital Grant (€5,000-€10,000)
    Grant for the Purchase of equipment or to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to Community facilities for expenditure during period 6th January 2025 – 28th November 2025.

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Development Fund Initiative 2025: https://donegalcoco.submit.com/show/20

All applicants for funding must complete an application form. Each application will then be assessed by the Council’s executive against relevant statutory, regulatory and eligibility criteria before being put before the Members of the Municipal District Council for consideration. The Elected Members will then select the projects to be supported from the Development Fund Initiative in 2025.

Eligibility Criteria.

3.1 The Development Fund Initiative is available to projects developed by the County Council, community groups or any other group that can demonstrate a bona-fide role and function in supporting community, social, economic or related development in the county.

3.2 Subject to relevant statutory and regulatory requirements being satisfied, projects supporting capital expenditure, specific contributions to one-off events, specific contributions supporting various social, economic, cultural, heritage and related activities are all eligible for consideration under the Development Fund Initiative.

3.3 Projects requesting funding of a “running cost” nature (light, heat, salaries etc) and which are likely to re-occur on a multi-annual basis can be claimed by a group/project for no more than three years in total during the lifetime of any Council term.

3.4 Projects may be approved for multi-annual funding (subject to the time frame being within the term of the approving Council).

3.5  Funds will not be provided to any project, which on evaluation, demonstrates a capacity to cause displacement to an existing initiative within the same catchment or service delivery area.

3.6 In any year, the minimum amount of grant which can be allocated to any group/project is €2,500.

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