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:

• Conservation surveys, reports, plans, and audits that help guide the future care and management of buildings, monuments, habitats, collections, or objects.
  
• Conservation works to buildings, monuments, habitats, collections, or objects. These projects must consider their impact on biodiversity and climate, and include measures to support positive outcomes - such as restoring habitats, managing invasive species, or improving energy efficiency in heritage buildings.
  
• Workshops and training events that promote good heritage practice. Priority is given to projects focused on traditional building and craft skills, graveyard recording, and biodiversity training.
  
• Digital heritage projects, such as digitisation, online exhibitions, oral history recordings, podcasts, and films. All digital outputs funded by the scheme must be open, accessible, and freely available to the public.
  
• Purchase of specialised equipment or materials that support conservation work or help improve access to heritage.
  
• Inclusion The Heritage Council is especially interested in grant applications that improve access to heritage, helping more people to take part particularly individuals with disabilities and those from minority groups. Projects that address the heritage of minority groups such as Traveller culture are also encouraged.

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.