New Government strategy to support the community and voluntary sector over the next five years

 

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin TD, have recently launched the new five-year strategy - ‘Ar Scáth a Chéile: Promoting Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities’ to support the community and voluntary sector.

The new strategy sets out a clear vision for the continued development of the community and voluntary sector and includes 43 commitments across five strategic pillars:

• Enhanced participation and partnership
• Training Standards and Capacity Building
• Supportive Policy and Funding environment
• Strengthened structure for engagement
• Community and Voluntary Sectors at the centre of the response to Climate Change

Speaking at the launch, Minister Calleary stated:

“The community and voluntary sector is the backbone of Irish society and this strategy represents the Government’s continued commitment to building sustainable, inclusive and empowered communities.  The strategy provides an ambitious framework to support the continued development of the community and voluntary sector.

I look forward to seeing the fruits of this new strategy in a strengthened relationship between government and the community and voluntary sector, in a thriving and resilient sector and in a more inclusive, cohesive and fairer society for all.”

Minister Buttimer stated:

“The community and voluntary sector fosters civic engagement, promoting social and climate justice across this country. I wish to acknowledge the critical services and supports that are being provided every day, especially to vulnerable members of our communities.

This strategy reinforces our commitment to giving a voice to communities and ensuring that they have the capacity and opportunities to influence the decisions that affect them, through strengthening participatory structures such as the Public Participation Networks at local and stakeholder for a national level.”

Minister Harkin stated:

Across Ireland, the community and voluntary sector plays a vital role in supporting people, strengthening social inclusion and building resilient communities. This new strategy reaffirms the Government’s commitment to working in partnership with the sector to ensure that communities are empowered and equipped to meet the opportunities and challenges of the years ahead.

As Minister of State with responsibility for Further Education, I particularly welcome the strategy’s focus on skills, learning and capacity building. Investing in people is one of the most effective ways we can strengthen communities. Supporting individuals and organisations to develop their knowledge and capabilities will help them respond to new challenges, seize new opportunities and continue making a positive difference in people’s lives.”

The strategy recognises the role of the sector in Gaeltacht areas and contains new commitments in relation to supporting greater engagement on an all-island basis, supported by the Government’s Shared Island Initiative thorough the Shared Island Civic Society Fund.  The strategy also supports the sector to digitalise and provides support for creative communities and a strengthened role for the sector in response to climate change.

‘Ar Scáth a Chéile: Promoting Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities’ was co-designed with representatives of the community and voluntary sector, building on the Government’s previous strategy to support the sector and ensure the continuation of collaborative approaches to local and community development, over the next five years.

The strategy aims to provide communities with both the means and opportunity to be involved in decisions that affect them through strengthening of existing structures for engagement at local and national level and to create a supportive policy, funding and institutional environment within which the sector operates, locally and nationally.

It will guide and shape Government’s support for communities and the community and voluntary sector in the coming years and help realise the shared vision for communities by the end of the decade.

It was also informed by the EU Civil Society Strategy, committing the EU institutions and member states to recognise and support the sector, to strengthen engagement arrangements and to put measures in place to protect the sector.

Copies of the strategy are available here

Macroom Municipal District Opens Applications for Community Environmental Projects Under LEAF Initiative

 

Macroom Municipal District, Cork County Council, is inviting applications from eligible community groups for funding under the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) 2026, an initiative supported by IPB Insurance and local authorities nationwide.

A total allocation of €50,000 has been allocated within Cork County Council to support Tidy Towns groups, Residents’ Associations and other voluntary community environmental groups in delivering projects that enhance local environments and support climate action.

While the fund is administered by Macroom Municipal District, applications are welcome from eligible community groups throughout County Cork.

Eligible Applicants must be registered must be registered with their local Public Participation Network (PPN). Grants of between €1000 and €5000 are available and applications must include a description of the proposed project and outline its environmental benefits and community impact.

Funding is available for a wide range of environmental initiatives, including biodiversity and pollinator-friendly projects, tree planting and urban greening, waste reduction and recycling initiatives, water conservation projects, climate action and sustainability awareness campaigns and community environmental improvement works.

Applicants are encouraged to work in partnership with other local stakeholders such as schools, community groups, sports clubs or voluntary organisations to maximise community impact. Funding will be awarded based on environmental impact, community benefit, feasibility and innovation.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Bernard Moynihan said, ‘The Local Environmental Action Fund provides a valuable opportunity for community groups to deliver practical projects that improve their local areas while supporting biodiversity, sustainability and climate action. I would encourage eligible groups across the Macroom Municipal District to apply and help create greener, more resilient communities for the future.’

For more information visit: Macroom Municipal District Opens Applications for Community Environmental Projects Under LEAF Initiative | Cork County Council.

Cork County Council Invites Proposals for the 2026 Town and Village Renewal Scheme

 Cork County Council is inviting Expressions of Interest for projects that will make the County’s towns and villages more attractive and sustainable.

Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is designed to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland. It has a strong focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction, increasing footfall into town centres, and supporting vibrant and sustainable Gaeltacht and island communities.

In recent years, the scheme has supported a wide range of projects across Cork County, from the acquisition and redevelopment of community facilities to public realm improvements, playground enhancements, walking trail improvements and the regeneration of vacant buildings. These investments have contributed to the ongoing revitalisation of rural towns and villages and supported the objectives of sustainable town centre regeneration.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Bernard Moynihan said, ‘The Town and Village Renewal Scheme provides an important opportunity for communities across County Cork to bring forward projects that will enhance their towns and villages and make them even better places to live, work and visit.

Local communities know their areas best, and this scheme enables them to work with Cork County Council to deliver projects that will have a positive and lasting impact. I would encourage communities across the county to explore the opportunities available and bring forward their ideas.’

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell added, ‘Supporting vibrant, resilient and sustainable communities remains a key priority for Cork County Council. Through investment in community infrastructure, public realm enhancements, recreational amenities and the renewal of vacant and underutilised properties, we are helping to create places that are attractive, inclusive and sustainable. Working in close collaboration with the Department of Rural and Community Development, local communities and elected members, we look forward to delivering projects that will bring lasting social and economic benefits to towns and villages across County Cork.’

The scheme is open to towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000. However, towns with a population of up to 15,000 may be considered where a high-quality application is received. Grant funding for projects will range from €50,000 to €500,000 under the main scheme for the 2026 Town and Village Scheme.

Funding of up to €50,000 per project is also available for pre-development costs to help communities develop applications for future funding calls.

The 2026 Scheme outline along with Expression of Interest forms are available at the link below. The closing date for receipt of forms is 5pm on Friday, 13th November, 2026.

2026 Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Click here for more information

Minister O’Sullivan announces opening of the 2027 Community Monuments Fund

 The Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, has launched the 2027 Community Monuments Fund.

The Community Monuments Fund (CMF) aims to help owners and custodians to conserve, maintain, protect and promote local archaeological monuments and historic sites. Since 2021, more than €40 million has been invested in over 840 projects countrywide.

Announcing the opening of the 2027 funding stream, Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan said:

“The Community Monuments Fund plays an essential role in helping owners and custodians across the country to protect and preserve our precious archaeological heritage – from forts and castles to abbeys and historic graveyards, in cities, towns, villages, and the wider countryside.

Since becoming Minister for Heritage, I have visited a number of CMF projects and seen for myself the positive impact this funding has on communities. Not only does it restore these amazing structures and make them more resilient for the future, it brings people together to celebrate their local heritage, all while supporting the wider heritage sector and helping to keep traditional skills alive.

Funding for the CMF has grown considerably over the years, and with the support and collaboration of National Monuments Service of my department, and the local authority heritage teams. I am proud to be opening this year’s fund for applications. I’d like to encourage everyone interested in learning more about this fund to engage with their local Heritage Officer.”

The Community Monuments Fund supports conservation, maintenance, protection and the promotion of local monuments and historic sites. For 2027, the scheme has four streams to support these aims:

• Stream 1 offers grants up to €130,000 aimed at essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments
• Stream 2 offers grants of up to €30,000 for development of conservation management plans/reports that are aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access
• Stream 3 offers grants of up to €30,000 for enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation (including virtual or online) at archaeological monuments

A fourth stream is also being offered for the first time in 2027 as a pilot programme:

• Stream 4 will offer grants of up to €10,000 to monitor previous conservation works funded by CMF to ensure the continued resilience of the monuments.

This scheme is administered by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Local Authorities.

Interested parties should contact the relevant Local Authority to enquire about applications. The closing date for applications for the 2027 round of grants is 5 February 2027.

• 104 projects funded through the €8,049,531.04 Community Monuments Fund (CMF) allocation in 2026 are listed here: Community Monuments Fund - List of Awards 2026
• Full details and project documentation relating to the 2027 can be found on the department’s website.

Cork County Council Invites Applications for 2027 Heritage Conservation Funding

 Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, TD, has announced funding for three built heritage schemes: the 2027 Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), Historic Thatched Buildings Stream (HTB) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF).

Cork County Council is encouraging owners and custodians of historic and protected buildings throughout the county to apply for funding to repair, conserve and safeguard these important heritage properties.

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) provides grants of up to €50,000 to support essential conservation and repair works to historic buildings. Eligible properties include protected structures, proposed protected structures and buildings located within Architectural Conservation Areas. The scheme also offers funding of up to €30,000 for vernacular structures, i.e. buildings with distinctive local and regional character. Previous projects supported under the scheme include churches, shops, thatched houses, country houses, townhouses and school buildings.

The Historic Thatched Buildings Stream (HTB) supports repairs to historic thatched roof buildings. Owners or occupiers of historic thatched structures, whether domestic or commercial, can apply for grants covering up to 80% of eligible conservation costs, to a maximum of €20,000.

The Historic Structures Fund’s (HSF) primary focus is to assist in the conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the broader benefit of communities and the public. The fund awards a small number of grants ranging from €50,000 up to €200,000 and focuses on larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where a clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or where a clear residential benefit has been demonstrated. Projects must be advanced through the planning process as necessary.

Welcoming the announcement, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Bernard Moynihan, said, ‘Our historic buildings are part of what makes County Cork unique. These grants will help owners protect and restore important heritage properties, ensuring they remain at the heart of our towns, villages and communities for generations to come. I encourage anyone who may be eligible to apply.’

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell added, ‘County Cork is home to almost 3,000 protected structures and 52 Architectural Conservation Areas, making these grant schemes an important investment in preserving our shared heritage. In 2026, 25 historic properties across County Cork benefited from funding under these schemes, demonstrating the value of these schemes in safeguarding our built heritage.’

The closing date for completed applications under the 2027 Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Thatched Buildings Stream is 4.00pm on Friday 30th October 2026.

The closing date for completed applications under the 2027 Historic Structures Fund is 4.00pm on Friday 27th November 2026.

Applications may be submitted by email to conservation@corkcoco.ie or by post to the Heritage and Conservation Office, Floor 3, Planning Department, County Hall, Cork.

Application forms, eligibility criteria, details of qualifying works and guidance documents are available at the link below.

2027 Heritage Conservation Funding

Click here for more information

Volunteer Drivers in Cork

  

Celebrate Women in Jazz with Cultural Companions 22nd October 🎷🎷🎷

 

Cork City Cultural Companions 🎷🎶

For our October Cork City get-together,🎷 we're heading to Cork City Library on Grand Parade for an afternoon of free live music and conversation.

We'll start with Women in Jazz, presented by Cork-based jazz vocalist Ivy Favier.

From the 1940s to the present day, women in jazz have often been overlooked. Ivy will bring their stories, achievements and contribution to the world of jazz into the spotlight.

🎷 Women in Jazz with Ivy Favier
📅 Thursday 22 October
🕚 11:00am–12:00 noon
📍 City Library, Grand Parade
🎟️ Free

We'll then have a break for lunch or coffee together before returning to the library for:

🎶 Timeless Jazz Standards with Neasa
🕐 1:00–2:00pm
📍 City Library, Grand Parade
🎟️ Free

This is a lovely opportunity to enjoy some live music together in the city, with both events taking place in the library.

We're looking for one member to volunteer as a meet-and-greeter and welcome people as they arrive. If you'd be happy to do this, please let the Cultural Companions coordinator.

There is no charge for either event.

If you'd like to come along, please let the coordinator know so we have an idea of who is attending.

We hope you can join us for an enjoyable afternoon of jazz! 🎷

https://guinnesscorkjazz.com/