Community Heritage Grant Scheme

The minimum amount available is €500 up to a maximum of €25,000.

A broad range of project types are eligible for funding under the scheme including:

• Workshops and training events that promote good heritage practice, in particular, we are interested in traditional building skills, craft skills, graveyard recording and biodiversity training.
• Development of Digital Heritage Resources including digitisation, online exhibitions, oral history recordings, podcasts, and films. You need to make sure that the digital outputs you create
  with grant funding are available, open, and accessible.
• Conservation surveys, reports, plans, and audits that will inform the future management of buildings and monuments, habitats, collections, or objects.
• Conservation works to buildings, monuments, habitats, collections, or objects. Conservation works must include an assessment of potential impacts on biodiversity and climate and outline measures to ensure positive outcomes. For example, habitat restoration, sustainable management of invasive species, or improving energy efficiency in heritage buildings.
• Purchase of specialised equipment or items that support conservation or improve access to heritage.

The scheme is open to:

• Voluntary and community groups for example Tidy Towns groups, local action groups & societies, parish councils, church councils & select vestries.
• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including not for profit trusts
• Museum Standards Programme for Ireland (MSPI) participants (NGO's only)
• Adopt a Monument Programme participants

This scheme opened for applications on 4th February and closes on 14th March 2025.

The fund will target community/voluntary and not-for-profit groups to apply for funding for heritage projects within their community.

Good practice

Factoring in the track record of the applicants, the consultants, contractors, and project team, you must show that the project will be guided by good practice in:

• research
• heritage management
• conservation

Project Structure and Permissions

You must also show that your project:

• Has a well thought out rationale and methodology
• Has the relevant knowledge, skills and experience within the community group to complete 
• Is well-organised and can proceed without delay regarding necessary permissions

Budget

You must also show that your project is:

• fully costed
• good value and a good investment for heritage

Public and Community Benefit

We will prioritise heritage projects that:

• Promote inclusion and sustainability
• Result in a wider range of people been engaged with heritage because of your project, including what activity will you conduct during National Heritage Week to engage the public
• Minimise negative impacts on the environment. This could include the use of sustainable materials, energy-efficient practices, or initiatives that contribute to biodiversity

Apply through the Heritage Council's Online Grants system.

For more information, view the Community Heritage Grant Scheme page.