Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has announced a fourth round of funding under Ireland’s Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF), with the 2026 round focused on refurbishment and upgrade works for existing community centres across the country. The new €25 million fund builds on earlier CCIF rounds in 2022 and 2024, which supported nearly 1,650 refurbishment projects with more than €80 million, alongside over €30 million for the construction of 12 new community centres. Since the fund began, more than €111 million has been invested in community centres nationwide.
The 2026 refurbishment round will provide grants ranging from €10,000 to €100,000 for capital works aimed at improving and modernising existing community facilities. Funding is divided into two categories: smaller projects can receive between €10,000 and €25,000 with 95 per cent grant support, while larger projects can access between €25,001 and €100,000 with 90 per cent support. Applicants will need to provide match funding of at least 5 per cent for smaller projects and 10 per cent for larger ones.
The fund can be used for a wide range of refurbishment and enhancement works, including roof repairs, energy efficiency upgrades, accessibility improvements, new kitchen and bathroom facilities, lighting and stage installations, fire safety compliance, electrical and heating upgrades, storage solutions, painting, signage, and the purchase of essential equipment such as kitchen appliances, tables, chairs, sound systems, and sensory equipment. It also covers professional fees and labour costs linked to the completion of projects. The aim is to help community-based organisations maintain and improve facilities that serve as central hubs for social, recreational, and support activities.
Applications will open online on 29 May 2026, with a closing deadline of 13 July 2026. Community groups are encouraged to register on the online portal in advance, although those who applied previously will only need to confirm that their details remain accurate. To help groups prepare strong applications, the Department will run a series of information sessions, clinics, and support events from April through July 2026. Supporting materials such as guidelines, templates, FAQs, and application details will also be made available to assist applicants in preparing high-quality submissions.
