What are the Community Support Schemes?
Please note applications for the 2025 Community Support Schemes closed in February 2025.
Galway County Council recognises that local communities are one of our greatest resources. In recognition of this, the Council has developed the Community Support Schemes to provide annual financial support for a diverse range of events and projects across three distinct schemes:
1. Economic Development Support Scheme
Provides funding towards tourism events and festivals, and other economic development initiatives, in recognition of the economic benefits brought by increased activity and visitor numbers.
2. Community Development Support Scheme
Provides funding for Tidy Towns groups and other local community groups engaged in improving the public realm, green spaces, and other amenities that are freely available to their local community.
3. Cultural Development Support Scheme
Provides funding for arts grants, heritage grants, and Irish language promotional activities, in recognition of efforts that increase cultural awareness, engagement, and standards across the county.
Some of the requirements associated with this funding are:
- All applicants must be based, and operating in, County Galway.
- All applicants must be registered with Galway County PPN (Public Participation Network).
- All applicant groups must be properly constituted, and if requested provide evidence of a constitution or registration as a voluntary group for tax purposes.
- All applicants must submit a minimum of 1 quotation for each expenditure item in compliance with public procurement and are encouraged to “Shop Local” where possible.
- Any statutory consents required for project proposals must be in place at application stage and submitted with the application.
- Applicants may submit a maximum of 1 application per Support Scheme.
What is the application process?
Applications are invited annually, with a closing date usually around the end of January.
Funding recommendations are brought to the February or March Plenary Council Meetings for approval, after which all applicants are notified of the outcome.
Where do I apply?
Applications should be submitted via our online grants system, at the link below.
Note: Applications for Irish Language Promotional Activities are available by emailing gaeilge@cocogaillimh.ie