Galway community-driven projects to receive over €350k in new round of funding
A new round of Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) funding has been confirmed for Galway city and county for 2026.
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has allocated €141,688.31 to Galway City and €213,600.85 to County Galway. The money is earmarked for small-scale, community-driven projects with a particular focus on disadvantaged areas and rural communities.
Nationally, the LEP represents a €7 million investment across local authorities.
The programme had a noticeable impact across Galway in 2025. Funding supported a range of local initiatives, including music programmes delivered by Ability West, described by communications manager Trish Verheij as a “platform for raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, and amplifying the voices of people with intellectual disabilities,” as well as projects run by the Blue Teapot Theatre Company.
Under departmental guidelines, the Local Community Development Committee will again allocate 30pc of the fund to smaller capital grants under €1,000, a measure designed to spread support to a greater number of local groups.
Galway East TD Seán Canney welcomed the announcement saying: “LEP funding helps groups upgrade facilities, purchase essential equipment, and make community spaces more accessible and energy efficient. These improvements are vital in keeping local amenities active and inclusive.”
Minister Canney encouraged groups to contact Galway’s Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), which will administer the funding locally, for more details on deadlines.
Additional partnerships with other agencies and departments throughout the year are expected to further bolster the funding available to communities.