Page last updated on: 21 March, 2025
This grant booklet summarises the key elements of Kilkenny County Council and other National Community Grants. It informs community groups of funding streams available to carry out and complete various types of community activities and projects in their neighbourhoods.
The Brighter Futures Fund is a three-year fund aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing for marginalised groups in Ireland. Rethink Ireland are inviting applications from projects and organisations that proactively identify mental health challenges within marginalised communities, enabling early intervention that can prevent the escalation of these issues. This fund is created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with an anonymous donor and the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.
CLOSING DATE: 24th March 2025
The Lidl Green Fund is a new community sustainability initiative from Lidl Ireland. The Green Fund aims to support, promote and empower environmentally conscious and healthy local community projects across the Republic of Ireland.
CLOSING DATE: 24th March 2025
A fund will be available to support community-based projects and programmes across Ireland and Northern Ireland that are focused on cultivating inclusive communities by empowering young people aged 16-25 to become skilled and engaged citizens under the pillars of inclusion and inspiration.
CLOSING DATE: 26th March 2025
The Amenity Grant Scheme is intended to improve outdoor community facilities for the protection or improvement/enhancement of natural or man-made amenities e.g. grass cutting, tree & flower planting, purchase of small gardening equipment/tools.
Works that will qualify include:
- Improvements to or maintenance of, parks and open spaces, green areas in residential areas and other public open areas.
- Works for the conservation or protection of natural or man-made amenities, scenic walks, nature trails, planting of trees, flowers, shrubs etc.
(This scheme will only cover public amenity areas where access is available free of charge, it will not cover clubs where a membership fee applies).
CLOSING DATE: 28th March 2025
For more information, contact Lisa Bourke (Parks Department, Kilkenny County Council) at 056-7794441 or by email to
The 2025 Bruckana Wind Farm Community Gains Scheme (“The Scheme”) is now open for applications. The 2025 fund value is €50,898.
Applications are welcome from not-for-profit groups such as community and voluntary groups, charities, social enterprises and clubs and societies. A key criterion is that the Fund should be used to benefit the local community as a whole. Schools are eligible to apply for funding however you will be required to demonstrate that the fund is not a substitute for government funding.The overall aim of the Fund is to increase public and environmental wellbeing in the community and support projects that will improve the area and quality of life for residents
CLOSING DATE: 31st March 2025
Applicants requiring help or support with their application can contact the project team via with their enquiries, or alternatively call our Community Liaison Specialists: Niall on 087-9951174 or Padraig on 087-0643734
Childminding Development Grant 2025
The Childminding Development Grant provides up to €1,000 to assist both registered and unregistered childminders who are providing a childminding service in their own homes.
The grant aims to support childminders to enhance quality and safety in their service through the purchase of toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, equipment to support inclusion and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM) education, as well as IT equipment to assist childminders to engage with training and registration processes.
The grant scheme is open to all childminders, including those who are planning to open a childminding business during 2025. 75% of the grant is paid in advance to help childminders with the upfront costs of purchasing equipment.
CLOSING DATE: 4th April, 2025
A three-year fund that aims to build inclusive and resilient communities and strengthen social cohesion across Ireland. Open to organisations dedicated to scaling innovations that strengthen civil society, build community cohesion and empower communities.The fund aims to promote equity and inclusion, encourage media literacy and community awareness initiatives, and empower communities to develop meaningful connections across diverse groups.
CLOSING DATE: 11th April, 2025
The special Health & Wellbeing Draw opens for nominations from Monday, 28th April, running for just seven days until 4th May 2025.
This special draw is dedicated to supporting charities in Ireland and the UK whose core purpose is the advancement of health & wellbeing. With 10 awards of €5,000 each up for grabs, the more nominations a charity receives, the greater its chances of winning.
Winners of the 10 x €5,000 grants will be announced on 4th May 2025.
Nominations take less than a minute and can be submitted at a special link once the draw goes live.
Kilkenny County Council has created the CCFCS scheme as a means of providing community groups with a fund to support community projects. Please read, Terms, Conditions and Guidelines – an application form will be made available once the community group have spoke to a member of the Community Department. Please contact the person below for your relevant area.
- Castlecomer Municipal District – Katherine Peacock – 056-7794924
- Kilkenny City Municipal District – Lianne Kelly – 056-7794345
- Piltown Municipal District – Lianne Kelly – 056-7794345
- Callan-Thomastown Municipal District – Catherine Byrne Murphy – 056-7794115
CLOSING DATE: 30th April 2025
The scheme will offer a grant of €450 or 50% of the cost of of the work, whichever is the lesser. Applications are invited from owners and/or occupiers of Commercial Properties, it is a condition of eligibility the painting works proposed are required to the street facing facades of commercial properties.
CLOSING DATE: 2nd May 2025
Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Community Grant
Eligible Works: Projects that support community groups/organisations to combat litter and graffiti issues in their local community, including:
- Community clean ups on public lands
- Community art projects to combat/deter graffiti
- Environmental awareness litter themed workshops
Grant Amounts ranging from €150 – €1,500
CLOSING DATE: 23rd May 2025
Contact Margaret Whelan (Environment Section, Kilkenny County Council) at
The SEAI Community Grant supports energy efficiency community projects through capital funding, partnerships, and technical support.
Through the support of SEAI, communities are improving the energy efficiency of shared community buildings and businesses are becoming more competitive through reduced energy costs. In addition, homes are being upgraded making them more comfortable and helping alleviate the effects of energy poverty.
This SEAI Community Grant is managed by Project Co-ordinators. If you are a local community service operator and you are interested in applying for the Community Grant, it is advised that you get in touch with a project coordinator.