Active Carlow secured funding from Sport Ireland to support the development of sport and physical activity in County Carlow with a particular emphasis on low participation groups such as young people, people with a disability, older adults, women and girls, ethnic minorities and people residing in disadvantaged areas.
This grant scheme is one element of a range of supports offered by Active Carlow, and available to local clubs and physical activity groups, for various reasons including: Training & Capacity Building; Volunteer Development; Funding Guidance; Programme Development; Facility Development; School/Club Links & Sports Club/NBG Directories, etc. The Active Carlow Small Grant Scheme 2026 aims to fund initiatives that increase participation of the following target groups. These groups have been identified through national research reports as having low participation rates:
Overall Aim
This fund aims to assist existing clubs and community groups that have physical activity and sport as their primary activity and encourage the set-up of new clubs and groups to promote physical activity and sport. The National Sports Policy 2018 – 2027 highlights the need to prioritise support for minority sports and low participation groups including young people, females, people with a disability, ethnic minorities, older adults and clubs/groups located in disadvantaged areas.
Read more here: https://assets.gov.ie/15979/04e0f52cee5f47ee9c01003cf559e98d.pdf
How Much Funding is Available?
The maximum grant available is €1,000. Please note that capital projects are not eligible under this grant scheme. This is a competitive fund. Evidence of match funding and/or benefit in kind will increase the chance of success for an application.
Who Can Apply?
Grants are available to all local sports clubs, community groups, and voluntary organisations that promote physical activity & sport. This grant is not available to schools, contact Active Carlow office for information on school supports.
To be eligible, organisations/clubs/groups must:
- Operate as a ‘not for profit’ club or group that is open to public membership
- Be based in County Carlow and have an objective relating to physical activity
- Submit a proposal to increase participation of a particular target group
- Operate under the basis of best practice for children in sport and show evidence of club representative(s) completion of Safeguarding Children Basic Awareness
- Submit only one application per organisation/club/group.
The following individuals/organisations are not eligible to apply:
- National/Regional/County governing bodies, excluding Community Games
- For profit groups/commercial organisations/private facility owners
- Statutory agencies and schools
- Projects funded through another source, g., Community Sport Facilities Fund
Key Criteria for Assessment
The grant applications will be assessed by the Active Carlow Advisory Committee, which is a sub-committee of Carlow County Council. If the application is not completed in full it will not be assessed further and will be deemed ineligible. The decision of the Active Carlow Advisory Committee is final. The assessment of applications will be based on the criteria outlined below:
- Only fully completed application forms will be considered
- Quotes attached to application form
- Description of activities that have the potential to increase participation in physical activity
- Priority will be given to initiatives that aim to increase participation and inclusion of ethnic minorities, people with a disability, women and
- Explanation of how success will be measured
- Commitment of any match funding/benefit-in-kind
Examples of Eligible Costs:
- Initiatives/events/programmes that will attract new participants
- Tutor/coach costs (if external to the normal running of club activities)
- Introduction of new activities/sports
- Programmes to enhance club relations with schools
- Establishing a new competition/recreational outlet
- Equipment costs
- Activities that promote social inclusion amongst groups with low participation
- Couch to 5km, community fitness programmes,
Examples of Ineligible Costs:
- Capital Projects (e.g., pitch development )
- Costs, including wages, associated with the administration of this grant
- Costs associated with travel to competitions
- Ongoing operational costs such as rent, insurance, membership fees, etc.
- Clothing – individual or team kits
- Coaching/instructing salaries & wages of a continual or seasonal nature
Evaluation Report Form
Applicants should note that the successful organisations/clubs/groups will be required to complete a short evaluation report form on completion of the funded activity.
Applications
- Applications should be signed by two organisations/clubs/groups committee members (the chairperson and one other member).
- Only one application will be accepted per organisation/club/group and the signatory must be the chairperson of the club, not of subsections or
sub-committees.
- Quotations must be included with the application.
- Signed application forms accepted digitally via email to:
- Hard copies of completed applications also accepted and should be posted to:
Egle Useckaite
Active Carlow
Carlow Town Hall
Centaur Street
Carlow
R93 TK85
The closing date for receipt of applications is
5:00pm Friday 9th October 2026.
Applications received after this date will not be considered.