Minister Jerry Buttimer and Minister Dara Calleary announce support for over 4,100 projects benefitting community organisations countrywide under the Local Enhancement Programme 2026

• From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
• Published on: 2 July 2026

• Last updated on: 2 July 2026

  Full listing of Galway County approvals below.

• Ministers announce successful projects under Local Enhancement Programme 2026
• Small grants to benefit community groups across the country
• Supporting community groups a key focus of ‘Our Rural Future’

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, have today (Thursday, 2 July 2026) announced the successful projects under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026.

The Local Enhancement Programme 2026 was launched in December 2025 and it will provide capital funding of €7 million to support projects that are essential for many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas. A total of over 4,100 individual projects will be funded, supporting thousands of community organisations across the country.

The Department of Rural and Community Development and Gaeltacht’s Local Enhancement Programme 2026 is administered by Local Community Development Committees, with support from the Local Authority, in each area.

Announcing the successful projects today, Minister Buttimer said:

“The Local Enhancement Programme is all about supporting our local groups and clubs across the country, who are vital to Irish community life.

“Every day as Minister of State in this Department, I have the pleasure of meeting the people and groups that benefit from grants under the LEP.

“The approval of these small grants for over 4,100 projects will go a long way to support the fantastic work that is being done in communities all over Ireland.”

Also announcing the successful projects today, Minister Dara Calleary said:

“The impact of the Local Enhancement Programme is considerable, and it allows community groups to carry out the invaluable work they do on behalf of others in local areas throughout the country.

“It helps groups to improve their facilities through small-scale funding for a wide range of projects including minor renovations to buildings and the purchase of essential equipment for the maintenance of public areas. It also allows groups to purchase items such as IT equipment to enable groups to conduct their business.

“The Local Enhancement Programme 2026 builds on the support that has been provided to community groups through the previous iterations of the fund.

“As Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, I am delighted to be able to continue providing any support I can to community groups across the country.”

In conclusion, Minister Buttimer added:

“This Government is committed to supporting local communities to shape their own futures. The funding I am announcing today will ensure that important work can continue to be delivered by communities on the ground and I’m delighted that every single county will benefit.

“I would like to thank each County Council and the Local Community Development Committees for their assistance in administering this fund.”

LEP 2026 Funding for each Local Authority area