Cork City Council Opens €260,000 Community Grant Programme for 2026

Cork City Council has launched its Community Development Grant programme for 2026, offering €260,000 in funding to support grassroots projects across the city. Applications are now open until 5pm on 2nd February 2026.

The funding is divided into two streams designed to support different community needs. The Community Association Capital Grants scheme offers €160,000 for recognised community associations to carry out capital or building maintenance work. Meanwhile, the Small Scale Programme Grant scheme provides €100,000 for once-off, small scale programme activities, excluding arts and sports projects.

Last year's Small Scale Programme Grants supported a diverse range of initiatives including summer camp programmes, monthly tea dances for the elderly, an international camp for girl guides, parent and toddler groups, a family fun day in Blackpool, and the purchase of a composter for a community garden.

The larger Capital Grants stream helped fund practical improvements such as roof repairs on community centres, fence installations, enhanced energy efficiency works, flood relief elements, IT equipment purchases, and new flooring in sports halls.

Cllr Fergal Dennehy, Lord Mayor of Cork, encouraged community groups to apply:

"These funding streams represent great opportunities to support communities and associations right across the city. 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."

The Lord Mayor added:

"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."

Valerie O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, emphasised the importance of supporting grassroots initiatives:

"Cork City Council welcomes this round of funding for community projects across our city. 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."

The council has also highlighted its Neighbourhood Profiles Digital Hub, launched last August, which provides communities with detailed analytical knowledge of their neighbourhoods based on 2022 census data. This tool can help groups identify areas where funding support may be most beneficial.

Further details about the Community Development Grant programmes and the online application form can be found at corkcity.ie and the Submit Portal.