Page last updated on: 11 February, 2026
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 Kilkenny County Council Community Events Grants scheme 2026 is open for applications. This grant scheme will assist community event organisers with the development, promotion and the running of small-scale community events organised by local not-for-profit voluntary groups and organisations. The funding is from €100 up to a maximum of €1,000.
CLOSING DATE: Friday 13th March 2026 at 5:00pm
The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme is funded by Sport Ireland and offers financial supports to local clubs, groups and organisations, nationwide who promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people.
CLOSING DATE: Friday 27th February 2026, 12:00 noon
The Amenity Grant Scheme scheme with Kilkenny County Council Parks section is to assist voluntary bodies in the improvement or maintenance of outdoor amenity facilities. e.g. grass cutting, tree & flower planting, purchase of small gardening equipment/tools.
CLOSING DATE: Friday 27th March 2026, 5pm
The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) grant support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, and to purchase equipment for example tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, canopies and training equipment etc.
CLOSING DATE: Friday 27th February 2026
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.
CLOSING DATE: Friday 6th March 2026
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.
CLOSING DATE: 4pm, Friday 13th February 2026
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.
CLOSING DATE: 4pm, Friday 13th February 2026
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.
CLOSING DATE: 4pm, Friday 30th January 2026 (Kilkenny County Council)
The Community Grant Scheme 2026 is now open for applications. This scheme supports projects that complement the delivery of the Waterways Ireland Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2030.
A fund of €20,000 has been allocated to assist community-based projects which complement or fulfil the delivery of the Waterways Ireland Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2030 along the Barrow Navigation, Erne System, Grand Canal, Lower Bann, Royal Canal, Shannon Navigation, Shannon-Erne Waterway, and the Ulster Canal (Upper Lough Erne to Clones).
CLOSING DATE: Saturday 31st January 2026
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.
COSING DATE: Friday 13 February 2026, 12:00 NOON
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.