Community network funding resources
Take action for your community energy project. See what grants and supports are available to support your goals.
Taking action
Once you have made an informed decision on the best energy project for your community, you can identify grants or supports to help you achieve it. We will guide SECs in their application for any SEAI grants if they choose to apply.
Project criteria and funding| Funding source | Funding title | Purpose of fund | Weblink |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPA | Green Enterprise | Grant aid provided to demonstration type projects by organisations that produce goods and provide services in more environmentally friendly ways | EPA |
| Enterprise Ireland | Innovation Voucher | Funding towards collaborating with registered college or knowledge provider to explore a business opportunity or technical problem | Enterprise Ireland |
| Enterprise Ireland | Green Start | Grant support towards hiring an Environmental consultant/trainer to undertake in-company assessment | Enterprise Ireland |
| Enterprise Ireland | Commercialisation Funds | Targeted to researchers in third level institutions, non-profit research agencies and organisations | Enterprise Ireland |
| Enterprise Ireland | Innovation Partnership Grant Programme | Grant aid providing up to 80% of the cost of research work to develop new and improve products, processes, services or generate new knowledge | Enterprise Ireland |
| The Heritage Council | Heritage Council 'Community Heritage Grant' | Funding can go to voluntary, community and non-governmental organisations. | Heritage Council |
| LEO | Priming Grants | These grants are for sole traders, partnerships, community or limited companies to develop their businesses | LEO |
| LEO | Microfinance Loans | Small finance loans available | LEO |
| NTMA | SBCI Investment and Working Capital Loans | Available through BOI and AIB loans; long term focused on SME companies | NTMA |
| NTMA | Ireland Strategic Investment Fund | Investments in projects, companies and funds with Irish activities and potential for significant expansion, innovation, and value improvement | NTMA |
| NTMA | SDCL - Ireland Energy Efficiency Fund | Energy efficiency funding for larger projects | NTMA |
| Funding source | Funding title | Purpose of fund | Weblink |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Finance Ireland | Community Finance Ireland | Provides loans exclusively to other third sector organisations | Community Finance |
| Pobal | Rural Social Scheme | Provides services of benefit to rural communities by harnessing the skills and talents available among low-income farmers and fisherpersons, and income support to low income farmers and fisherpersons | Pobal |
| Pobal | Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme | Aimed at addressing poverty and disadvantage in Ireland | Pobal |
| CEDRA | REDZ | The allocation of €2 million euro will fund pilots on a regional basis | |
| LEADER | LEADER grants | Funds projects that enlist people who could contribute to rural development by forming partnerships at a sub-regional level | |
| The Ireland Funds | The Ireland Funds | Invests in local communities by supporting initiatives that will benefit the community |
|
| Science Foundation Ireland | Spoke Programme | Funds research partnerships between industrial and academic partners | SFI |
| Social Innovation Fund Ireland | ANIMATE | Funds early stage projects that address health or social issues | Social Innovation Fund |
| Social Innovation Fund Ireland | THINKTECH | Supports the most innovative, technology-driven solutions to Ireland's critical social issues | Social Innovation Fund |
| Community Finance Ireland | Loan | A charity which provides loans exclusively to other third sector organisations | Community Finance Ireland |
| Clann Credo | Social Finance | Delivers resources to communities and enterprises overlooked by conventional outlets, ensuring all investments produce a social gain or benefit | Clann Credo |
| ISI Centre | Green Bonds | The ISI Centre is partnering with the Climate Bond Initiative which assists governments and companies fund climate-change solutions | |
| NDRC | Grants for Startups / Tech Accelerators | Provides funding and mentorship to tech-based SECs / companies | NDRC |
| IDA | Capital Grants, Employment Grants, R&D Grants, Training | Financial incentives to encourage companies to invest in certain new activities | IDA |
| Various Banks & Credit Unions | Private Loans | Some banks and credit unions are offering low-interest 'green loans' in partnership with SEAI for retrofit works | Progressive CU |
| NuTech Renewables | In-Kind: Support | Support and advice to communities and non-profit distributing organisations who are planning on installing renewable heating systems | NuTech Renewables |
| REIL | REIL | Potentially provide bridging finance | REIL |
| EPS Group | EPS Group | Provider of water, wastewater treatment, and plumbing; potentially give grants | EPS |
| Eirgrid or Energy Providers | Eirgrid Demand Side Unit Scheme | Payment to temporarily switch off non-essential power or make independent standby power generators available at times when there is increased demand on the grid (4MW off grid to deal with Eirgrid) | Eirgrid |
| The Wheel-Support and Representation for Community and Voluntary Organisations | Fundingpoint | Ireland's largest funding grant database to gain access to over 800 grants | Wheel |
| Funding source | Funding title | Purpose of fund | Total fund amount | Weblink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LIFE | Fund for projects focusing on environment and resource efficiency or climate action | 241m | LIFE |
| EU | European Regional Development Fund | Fund covers 4 topics: innovation & research, the digital agenda, support for SMEs, and local carbon economy | 1.19bn | European Regional Development Fund |
| EU | Interreg B (Transnational Cooperation) | Focused on projects on resource efficiency, energy efficiency and sustainable communities | Ireland can expect to get around €20-€50m | Interreg B |
| EU | Horizon 2020 | Emphasis on excellent science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges | 80bn | Horizon 2020 |
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