We facilitate a range of grants for initiatives that:
- help bring people together through social engagement and address barriers to participation in society;
- foster social inclusion and support integration;
- promote sports, tourism, and recreation;
- celebrate Galway’s rich arts sector and enrich its cultural identity;
- and boost economic growth.
We advertise most of them on Galway County Council's Submit page when they open up for applications.
Arts & Culture
- Artists Support Scheme - to develop the skills of professional artists through mentorship or short courses, and cover costs like materials, equipment and expert support
- Community Support Scheme - funding for Arts projects under the scheme's Cultural Development strand
- Creative Ireland Grant Scheme - for projects that foster creativity and artist collaboration, open to individuals and community and voluntary groups
- Open Calls and Artist Residencies - including Culture Night, Tiny Mutiny, and Áras Éanna
Community Development
- Community Recognition Fund - for improving local facilities in areas that have welcomed large numbers of people from Ukraine and other countries
- Community Support Schemes
- Economic - for tourism events, festivals, and other economic development initiatives in recognition of increased visitor numbers
- Community - for community groups and Tidy Towns groups engaged in improving the public realm, green spaces, and other public amenities
- Cultural - for arts grants, heritage grants, and Irish promotional activities, to increase cultural awareness, engagement and standards across the County
- Local Enhancement Scheme - for community and voluntary groups in County Galway to help improve their facilities, buy equipment, and cover basic running costs, especially in disadvantaged areas
Recreation
- Outdoor and Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) - for projects that develop or improve outdoor amenities in rural Ireland such as walking and cycling trails, mountain paths, greenways, forest parks, outdoor activity hubs, signage, trailheads, car parks, visitor facilities, and promotional materials
Rural Development
- CLÁR - for small scale infrastructural projects in CLÁR zones- certain rural areas that have suffered significant levels of population decline
- Town and Village Renewal Scheme - for projects that support town centre regeneration, economic and social revitalisation, sustainable employment creation, reuse of vacant or derelict buildings, and enhancement of public spaces in rural towns and villages
Sports
- Increased Participation in Physical Activities and Volunteers Support Grant - for clubs and sports organisations to increase the levels of participation, including upskilling, coaching, tutoring, facility rental, and costs associated with starting a club
Tourism
- Community Support Scheme - funding for Tourism projects and festivals under the scheme's Economic Development strand
EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme 2023-2026 (Applications now CLOSED)
Galway County Council are supporting Fáilte Ireland in the delivery of the Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme for Ireland’s Midlands 2023-2026 as part of the EU Just Transition Fund. This scheme will result in investment and development of tourism in the Midlands which includes the Ballinasloe MD for Galway. The aim of this scheme is to diversify the regional economy by creating jobs, supporting habitats and biodiversity and sustaining communities. A County Tourism Activator is available to assist businesses and communities in accessing opportunities related to this scheme.
We are providing ongoing support and assistance to applicants, including those who have been unsuccessful, in terms of identifying alternative sources of funding and pathways to delivering their projects.
In addition to providing enterprise support the Galway Tourism Activator provides direct support to tourism enterprises through tourism networks. The aim of these tourism networks is to communicate and share information and expertise with one another and support the delivery of the overall objectives of Irelands Hidden Heartlands.
For further information on tourism supports and tourism networks, please contact the Galway Tourism Activator, Loretta Raftery at lraftery@galwaycoco.ie or 087 353 2827
Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the EU Just Transition Fund, this scheme offers investment grant-aid to private and community SMEs located within the EU Just Transition Territory to develop tourism projects.
Find out more : www.failteireland.ie/justtransition