Local Enhancement Programme 2026

The Local Enhancement Programme 2026 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. Please see the following link to the press release announcing the Local Enhancement Programme 2026 at national level, by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/press-releases/ministers-calleary-and-buttimer-announce-new-7-million-local-enhancement-programme-2026/

The Local Enhancement Programme 2026, is a national fund of €7m for capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations. The fund is aimed particularly at those who serve disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas.

The scheme is designed to ensure local priorities are identified and met, so as to improve and enhance community facilities for all.

The Local Enhancement Programme 2026 will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas to:

· focus on small capital works/repairs/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use such as improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.

All funding will be available to a diverse range of community groups including but not limited to community centres, parish halls and local voluntary groups.

Donegal LCDC will administer the Programme on behalf of the Department and have €303,465.26 available for award under the Scheme.

Rules

Local Enhancement Programme 2026 is open for application under two categories as follows:

· Small Capital Grant (€500- €1,000)

Grant for the Purchase of equipment, refurbishment or upgrade works for expenditure during period 5^th December 2025 – 30^th September 2026

· Large Capital Grant (€5,000-€10,000)

Grant for the Purchase of equipment or to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to Community facilities for expenditure during period 5^th December 2025 – 30^th October 2026.

Groups must apply for funding to the Local Authority in which they are based, and applicants in Donegal can use the application forms provided at the links below.

Small Capital Grant - https://submit.link/4ne

Large Capital Grant - https://submit.link/4xd

Match-funding from other sources is not required in order to be approved for a grant.

See Guidelines For LEP 2026 for further details.

Applicant groups must provide the following when submitting their application for funding:

· Tax Registration (Charitable Status No, Tax Reference No or Tax Clearance Access No)

· Bank or Credit Union Account Details (copy of recent Statement)

It is important to note that Group Name and the Name on Bank Account Statement must correspond.

If your group is new or has any queries regarding Tax Registration or Bank/Credit Union Account status which may affect the drawdown of grant should your application be successful, please contact lep@donegalcoco.ie with your query before submitting your application.

Applicants applying for the large grant are required to state the key priority area(s) in the LECP that their application relates to and how their group or project align to the County Donegal Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 and the National BioDiversity Action Plan 2023-2030

A summary of the LECP 2023-2029 Draft Narrative and links to the Plans are appended in the Documents section of the webpage.

Rates

The Programme will offer two levels of grant aid:

· Small Grants from €500 up to a maximum of €1,000 per project

· Large Grants from €5,000 up to a maximum of €10,000 per project

Apply here

Applications must be completed online at

Small Capital Grant - https://submit.link/4ne

Large Capital Grant - https://submit.link/4xd

If you have any difficulty submitting your application online, please contact lep@donegalcoco.ie where assistance will be provided

Closing date for the receipt of applications is 3.30 pm on Thursday, 26th February 2026.

Applications received after this time will not be considered.