Grants & Funding

Kilkenny County Council Community Cultural Facilities Capital Scheme objective  is to respond to the need for better community, recreational and cultural facilities for community groups through the provision of a capital grant.  The scheme is open to groups operating within the Community Sector who have a recognised legal structure, operate on a ‘not for profit’ basis.

Examples of projects eligible for support can include the development of open spaces, walks and parklands; play areas, broad based recreational facilities, community arts projects and projects that conserve the built and natural heritage of the county.

Funding is at a rate of 90% of the total eligible project costs up to a maximum grant of €50,000.  The minimum grant available is €10,000.

Application forms are available once the community group have met with the relevant person in the Kilkenny County Council Community Department.

Kilkenny County Council Creative Team, is inviting artists, creators, and community groups to apply for the Creative Ireland Grant Scheme 2026. This initiative is designed to spark imagination, support cultural projects, and celebrate creativity across Kilkenny. One application per group/artist or organisation. Grant Amount available per group: €1,000 to €5,000.

Kilkenny County Council Creative Team, is inviting artists, creators, schools, youth groups, and community organisations to apply for funding to create amazing projects and events for Cruinniú na nÓg 2026—Ireland’s national day of free creative activity for children and young people happening on Saturday, 6th June 2026. One application per group/artist or organisation. Grant Amount available per group: €1,000 to €5,000.

Kilkenny County Council Arts Office have announced their annual call for applications for the Arts Act Grants and Residency Award Bursaries for 2026.

Funding is available to support projects that stimulate public interest in the arts, promote knowledge and appreciation, and improve standards across artforms including visual arts, theatre, literature, music, film, dance, and multi-disciplinary practices.

Residency bursaries include one-week stays at Greywood Arts, Cork, and The Tyrone Guthrie Centre.

The Heritage Organisation Support Fund supports not for profit, non-governmental organisations working in the heritage sector in Ireland by providing funding towards their core costs.

From wildlife and archaeology to architecture, archives and inland waterways, could your organisation benefit from this support? The maximum amount available per organisation is €50,000

The community Monuments Fund 2026 is open for applications. The core aims of this Fund are the conservation, maintenance, protection and presentation of archaeological monuments.

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) has launched the Community Water Development Fund for 2026. The fund enables community groups to enhance the quality of local streams, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Under the fund local communities and groups are invited to apply for financial assistance to support the delivery of projects and initiatives to enhance water bodies and benefit water quality and biodiversity.

The SPARK Mini-Grant Scheme supports youth arts taster workshops for young people aged 10 to 25 in youth work and non-formal education settings – sparking young people’s interest in youth arts practice, new ways to express themselves and collaborative relationships with local artists!

Grants of €300 are available. Eligible expenditure includes artist facilitation fees, materials, venue rental, travel costs etc.

CLOSING DATE:  Wednesday, 21st January 2026 at 5pm

The HSE is delighted to offer National Lottery grants to health and social care projects. Community groups and voluntary organisations can apply.

You must provide health or social care services to the community. For example, you might help people with a disability, older people, carers or disadvantaged groups. Public bodies, including the HSE, cannot apply for this funding.

APPLICATIONS OPEN: Wednesday 14th January 2026

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.

Kilkenny County Council’s Climate Action Office have developed a new guide to support local climate action whilst helping communities and households to reduce energy, waste and water use, protect nature and save on energy bills.

The guide provides information on 31 sources of funding available to communities and households for projects such as making homes warmer; creating new community facilities such as cycleways and community gardens; energy upgrades to community buildings; protecting monuments from climate change and creating rain gardens to capture excessive rainfall.