Community Grants
SUPPORTS TO OUR COMMUNITY GROUPS
Supporting our Communities – Westmeath Community Development Section is here to support our Community Groups.
We endeavour to ensure all our Community Groups are supported to apply for the various grants, awards and nominations appropriate to their group or area.
**APPLICATION NOW CLOSED**
For the past number of years Westmeath County Council has distributed over €450,000 per annum to Community & Voluntary groups in the form of Awards and Grants. This is because the Council recognises and values the work that the Community & Voluntary sector carry out on a day to day basis and believes that this sector is one of the most important in the county as it contributes to the quality of life of all citizens.
Westmeath County Council is now inviting applications for the following Grants:
- Community Action Grant
- Tidy Towns Grant
- Residents Associations Grant
**APPLICATION NOW CLOSED**
Westmeath County Council Cathaoirleach's Awards Event celebrates the enormous amount of volunteerism in Westmeath, given through the many community and voluntary groups who exist in the county. The Cathaoirleach Awards event facilitates the Council presenting special awards in recognition of the role played by individuals and groups who help to create a strong and vibrant community.
Westmeath County Council is now inviting applications for the following Awards:
- Nominations for Cathaoirleach Award for Westmeath Person/Group of the Year
- Community project of the year Award
- Resident Association Project Award
- Age Friendly Recognition Award
- Pride of Place in the Community Competition
- STEM Grant (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Grant)
- Schools Environmental Competition
**APPLICATION NOW CLOSED**
The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Please see the following link for a press release on the launch of the Local Enhancement Programme at national level by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD:
Ministers Humphreys and O’Brien announce new Local Enhancement Programme 2025
This fund is being provided by the Government to support community and voluntary groups and will consist of €7 million in funding to be allocated across the local authority network.
Under the Local Enhancement Programme 2025 the capital funding available will support community and voluntary groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with minor capital works and improvements to their facilities, and the purchase of equipment for community use.
This year the fund will also include €1 million in current funding to provide support and assistance to community and voluntary groups towards their utility bills, rental/lease costs, insurance costs etc.
Th Local Enhancement Programme 2025 will be administered locally by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs).
Westmeath Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) is responsible for allocating funding to projects.
- € 147,718 capital funding to use towards carrying out necessary repairs & improvements to facilities, energy efficiency type projects, purchase of equipment etc.
- € 24,620 current funding towards utility bills, rental/lease costs, insurance costs etc.
Before starting your application, you should:
- Familiarise yourself with the Terms and Conditions on each application form and the LEP Guidelines below.
- Have your Tax Reference Number (TRN) ready. If your Community Group does do not have a TRN yet, please see Form T3 (tax registration for voluntary non-profit organisations)
(NOTE - A TRN is required by Westmeath County Council to verify tax clearance status if applicable and will also be used when submitting returns to Revenue as required) - Have your Irish Transverse Mercator (ITM) co-ordinates ready. These can be found using the Irish Grid Reference Finder, and you can follow this simple guide to help you find your co-ordinates here– A Simple Guide How to find location XY ITM
- If your group is not registered with Westmeath Public Participation Network please email ppn@westmeathcoco.ie for registration details.
**APPLICATION NOW CLOSED**
Over the past number of years Westmeath County Council have provided financial assistance to Tidy Town groups and Business groups to help purchase, erect and maintain Christmas lighting in their local area.
The Council have made financial provision in its 2024 budget to provide similar grant assistance.
**APPLICATION NOW CLOSED** (ROUND 1)
Applications for Round 2 (July- December events) will be available in May. Please check back again.
The purpose of the scheme is to encourage and promote events particularly events of a scale as to be added to the Westmeath Calendar of Events for 2025.
The events should involve significant voluntary input and should attract increased visitor numbers to Westmeath to generate increased economic activity for the local area.
For further enquiries please contact the Community Development Section, by phone at 044 933 8969 or 044 933 2196.
Document Download
Other Community Grants
Grants may become available throughout the year. All details of new grants will be available here. Please check back for future grants.
To ensure your group is kept informed of the latest available grant, please register with Westmeath Public Participation Network (PPN).
For queries please contact:
Useful Links: