Community, Culture & Sport FAQs

The purpose of Community Grants is to provide financial support to community groups who are engaged in community initiatives, projects, events and activities in the administrative area of Fingal County Council. The grants support the delivery of the Council’s commitment to improve the quality of life for all its citizens.

The Sports equipment grant is awarded to sports groups, which require, non everyday equipment to improve their club

Local community and voluntary groups may apply for a community grant to assist with the delivery of a community initiative, project, event or activity.  The group must be properly constituted and the application must demonstrate a benefit to the local community. The group must also be registered with the Public Participation Network.

A grant will only cover a percentage of a project and the group must demonstrate the financial capacity to match the funding.

Yes, but the application to draw down the grant must be accompanied by the appropriate support documentation.  

No – Funding will not be provided retrospectively, you must wait for formal approval of the funding award before making any purchases.

Yes, a group can apply for several grants provided each application relates to a different project/event/activity/initiative.   

The Public Participation Network (PPN) aims to enable the public as well as local organisations to voice their views and interests within the local government system. It is the main framework for public participation and engagement. Membership is open to not for profit groups in the social inclusion, environmental and general community and voluntary sectors. 

Groups working in the areas of Community, Sports, Arts, Residents Associations, groups working with people experiencing disadvantage/inequality and groups with a focus on protecting the environment and sustainability must register with the PPN in order to qualify for funding. 

A Community Activity Grant is intended to assist community and voluntary groups to promote local community activities.  Examples include a community day, community week or a small event during the year. 

Community groups can apply for this grant to assist with the provision of supervised recreational and educational activities for young people during the summer period.  Summer projects must cater for the local community and must run for a period one, two or three weeks over the summer holiday.

Projects are responsible for ensuring that they meet all the requirements of child protection and Garda vetting legislation in Ireland, including the Children First Act 2015. Successful applicants must have policies and procedures in place prior to drawing down funds in accordance with national policy, namely, Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children.

Yes, all successful applicants are required to acknowledge the financial assistance of Fingal County Council and include the Council’s logo on all printed matter.

An application can be refused on a number of grounds.  The most common reasons are:

• The group did not demonstrate ability to match fund the project
• The group is not constituted and is not a voluntary community group
• Fingal County Council does not fund the item i.e. laptops are not funded and items considered a risk to the personal safety of groups are not funded.
• The application is vague and does not have enough information to allow the grant to be approved.
• Business organisations not eligible for funding
• The group applied for the same funding under another grant application within the Fingal County Council. 

• Applications should be typed clearly and concisely
• Applicants should use the checklist to ensure they submit all required documentation
• Applicants must meet the required deadline
• Applicants should ensure that they apply under the correct and most appropriate section
• Applicants should contact a community worker or area community officer to discuss their application or attend an information evening.