Galway community groups urged to install generators as €213k funding scheme opens
Galway County Council has opened applications for its 2026 Local Enhancement Programme, with €213,000 available to support upgrades to community facilities across the county.
The funding will assist not-for-profit community and voluntary groups with projects including improvements to community areas, energy efficiency measures, accessibility enhancements and the purchase of essential equipment.
Under the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), a particular emphasis has been placed on enhancements to community support centres, following the heavy reliance on these spaces during Storm Éowyn. Large parts of the county were left without power during the storm, prompting calls for improved resilience measures ahead of future extreme weather events.
Applicant groups are being encouraged to consider the purchase of generators for community spaces to help maintain essential services and maximise safety during power outages.
“The scheme attracted strong interest and supported a wide range of community projects last year,” said LECP Chair Cllr Michael Connolly. “Groups used the funding for hall upgrades, youth facilities, heritage work, Men’s Sheds and improvements to local meeting spaces. Even small grants can make a real difference to the everyday work of volunteers in towns, villages and rural areas.”
Among the groups that received funding in the 2025 allocation were Athenry Men’s Shed (€3,800), Carrabane Parish Hall in Athenry (€5,000), Garrafrauns Community Council in Dunmore (€3,000), the Oughterard Courthouse Conservation and Heritage Company Limited (€4,000), and the Williamstown Playground Committee (€3,000).
Applications are open to all not-for-profit community and voluntary groups and will close on Monday February 23, 2025. Application forms are available online.
Funding will be released once projects are approved by the LCDC, all conditions are met, and applications align with one or more priority areas set out in the Local Economic and Community Plan.
Further information is available from Galway County Council’s Community Department at communitygrants@galwaycoco.ie.