Live Grant Applications
Cork City Council Invites Communities to Apply for Funding from €260,000 Development Grants Scheme
Cork City Council is inviting applications for its €260,000 Community Development Grant programme 2026 which will help fund grassroots projects that make a real difference.
The funding will be made available in two streams – with €160,000 available under the Community Association Capital Grants scheme and €100,000 available under the Small Scale Programme Grant scheme.
The Community Associations Capital Grant stream can fund recognised community associations across Cork City for capital or building maintenance work.
The Small Scale Programme Grant stream can fund community groups in the Cork City area for once-off, small scale programme activities, excluding arts and sports activities.
Last year, the Small Scale Programme Grants scheme helped fund:
- some summer camp programmes;
- monthly tea dances for the elderly;
- an international camp for girl guides;
- the organisation of a parent and toddler group;
- a family fun day in Blackpool;
- and the purchase of a composter for a community garden.
Last year, the larger Community Association Capital Grant stream helped fund:
- the replacement and repair of a roof on a community centre;
- the installation of a fence on community centre grounds;
- enhanced energy efficiency works in a community hub;
- elements of flood relief works;
- the purchase of IT equipment;
- and new flooring in a sports hall.
The money is specifically aimed at grassroots projects – ideas that come from the community, for the community.
Whether it’s improving shared spaces, supporting cultural activities, or creating programmes that bring people together, Cork City Council wants to fund projects and ideas that support and strengthen communities.
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, encouraged recognised community groups to apply for the funding.
“These funding streams represent great opportunities to support communities and associations right across the city,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Many of our community organisations do incredible work on the ground, very often on a voluntary basis, and they truly are the backbone of our city.
“It is important that we acknowledge and support them through these grants, whether for larger capital projects or smaller-scale initiatives, all of which make a real and lasting difference to our communities and to our citizens.
“I am personally delighted to see these projects develop further in 2026.”
The Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O’Sullivan, said the council is proud to support community groups through this funding programme.
“Cork City Council welcomes this round of funding for community projects across our city,” the Chief Executive said.
“The funding is aimed at grassroots projects which deliver a vast range of important and quality services and supports locally.
“These grants will provide much needed additional funding to communities.”
Further details about the Community Development Grant programmes, including the on-line application form for funding, can be found at www.corkcity.ie and the Submit Portal https://submit.link/4a9
The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm 2nd February 2026.
Further information:
Cork City Council’s Planning and Integrated Development Directorate launched the Neighbourhood Profiles Digital Hub last August, an interactive version of the 2025 Neighbourhood Profile Report.
This report, based on 2022 census data, analysed social-demographics, employment, housing and commuting patterns, for example, at a neighbourhood level.
The insight available through the ‘Digital Hub’ enables communities citywide to have greater analytical knowledge of their communities and may help identify deficiencies where funding opportunities may be of assistance.
You can explore the Digital Hub at the following link:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/a1a514971ced4c2292305956dcccdfcb/page/Home
The 2025 Neighbourhood Profiles report can be found here:
https://publications.corkcity.ie/view/458292446/34/
Cork City Council Opens its 2026 Local Heritage and Biodiversity Grants Schemes
Caption: Through the 2025 scheme, University College Cork commissioned an artwork representing the fossils of Cork city and its rich geological heritage.
Two Cork City Council grants aimed at supporting local heritage and biodiversity are now open for applications. The grants acknowledge and support the tremendous work that is carried out by local heritage groups and organisations across the city to protect, enhance and promote heritage and biodiversity.
The Local Heritage and Biodiversity Community Grant Scheme is aimed at providing core funding in the form of small grants for local, community-based heritage groups and individuals who are involved in ongoing work that benefits the heritage and biodiversity of Cork City. Funding of between €200 and €1,000 is available per grant. Previous projects funded include a winter series of archaeological lectures, training on natural heritage, exhibitions on local history, podcasts on the bridges of Cork and events such as the Coal Quay Festival and the Mother Jones Festival.
The Local Heritage and Biodiversity Publication Grant Scheme is aimed at supporting the publication and printing of high-quality publications on local heritage topics, which raise awareness and appreciation of local heritage and biodiversity. Funding of between €1,000 and €4,000 is available per publication grant. A total of up to €12,000 will be available for this grant scheme. 14 books have been supported through this grant since 2015 and include publications on topics such as St Josephs Cemetery, The contribution of Cork women during the revolutionary years, the history of the LGBT community in Cork and the history of the Fire Service in Cork to name a few.
The Closing Date for receipt of application forms for this grant scheme is 11am on 6th of February 2026.
For an application form please contact: heritage@corkcity.ie
Application forms can also be downloaded here https://www.corkcity.ie/en/council-services/services/arts-culture-heritage/heritage/heritage-grants/
These grant schemes are an action from the Cork City Heritage Plan 2021-2026.
Caption: The 2025 Community Heritage Grant Scheme funded an information panel on Spring Lane Traveller Heritage Project in conjunction with the Cork Traveller Women’s Network.