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LEADER Community Funding

Open to expressions of interest

We are now open to expressions of interests (EOI) from community groups for grants to support  projects in the following areas:

  • Development of sustainable outdoor social and recreational facilities: €89,985.26
  • Development of biodiversity capital projects including parks, nature corridors and community gardens: €137,280.66
  • Biodiversity action plans: €42,719.34
  • Climate action plans: €40,000.00
  • Sustainable use of water resources including water recycling, rainwater harvesting and use of grey water: €60,000.00
 
Community groups should review the information below in advance of completing and submitting the EOI form. If unsure about your proposed project’s suitability/eligibility, please contact one of our community Project Officers: mdunphy@wld.ie  or edake@wld.ie

Submitting an EOI – key info

Open date:                Wednesday 1st April 2026

Closing date:           Tuesday 21st April 2026 at 12 noon

EOI Form to Apply:

Download

Completed EOI Forms to:        leader@wld.ie on or before the deadline date and time

Minimum grant available:        €5,000

Maximum grant available:       €200,000

(based on the limited budget there is no guarantee of allocation of maximum grant to any one group)

Grant Aid Rates

  • Purchase equipment / building developments up to 75%
  • Feasibility studies up to 90%
  • Bespoke unaccredited training up to 100%

Examples of eligible projects:

  • Parks / gardens / allotments
  • Outdoor trails / walking tracks (open to the public)
  • Blueway trails
  • Recreational equipment / facilities free to use by the whole community
  • Projects which enhance, protect or raise awareness of local biodiversity (capital supports only)
  • Water recycling or water reduction measures.  Training to enable future water monitoring programmes.
  • Biodiversity and climate action plans.

Examples of ineligible projects:

  • Sports facilities/equipment
  • Membership only facilities/equipment

Note for applicants – LEADER application stages:

  • Stage 1 expression of interest (approx. 1 month)
  • Stage 2 full application – only eligible projects/applicants will be invited to stage 2 (approx. 3months)
  • Stage 3 assessment (approx. 2 months)
  • Stage 4 approval and contact awards (approx. 1 month)

Summary of funding budgets as presented in Wexford’s Local Development Strategy:

Total funding available:  €369,985.26

Theme 2: Rural Infrastructure & Social Inclusion:

€89,985.26 for the development of sustainable outdoor social & recreational facilities which prioritise universal design with access for all and

Theme 3: Sustainable Development of the Environment:

  • €60,000.00 to deliver training and capital supports to promote the sustainable use of water resources to include water recycling, rainwater harvesting and use of grey water.
  • €137,280.66 for capital supports for biodiversity measures and environmental improvements including parks, nature corridors and community gardens.
  • €42,719.34 to support up to five communities to complete biodiversity action plans to preserve and protect biodiversity in their own communities
  • €40,000 to support for up to five communities to develop climate action plans that when implemented will reduce carbon footprint, enhance energy efficiency and promote sustainability

Proposed projects can include elements which are funded from either or both these themes.

All information on this funding call is available in Irish by request.