Deadline: 14-Jan-2026
The Limerick City and County Council Small Grants Scheme 2026 supports community-driven creative projects that foster collaboration, participation, and cultural engagement. Grants range from €1,000 to €5,000, with projects expected to be free to participate in or attend, spanning five strategic strands including place-making, creative careers, connections, change-making, and the cultural and creative economy. Approximately thirteen projects will be funded across Limerick city and county.
What is the Limerick Creative Communities Small Grants Scheme?
The scheme is designed to empower artists, creatives, and community groups to develop projects that place creativity at the heart of community life. It supports initiatives that are inclusive, participatory, and rooted in local experience, enabling communities to explore new ideas, collaborate, and deliver meaningful cultural activities.
All funded projects must take place during the 2026 calendar year and aim to be accessible, free to participate in, and, where possible, free to attend.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
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Limerick-based artists and creatives.
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Community organisations representing local places or shared interests.
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Projects that actively engage participants from conception through to delivery.
Grant Amounts
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Minimum grant: €1,000
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Maximum grant: €5,000
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Average award: €4,000–€4,500
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Approximately 13 projects are expected to be funded.
Funding Strands and Strategic Priorities
The scheme is structured around five strategic strands, aligned with Limerick’s Culture and Creativity Strategy:
1. Place-Making (€11,000 fund)
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Supports projects that enhance Limerick’s creative landscape.
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Celebrates local heritage, cultural identity, and public space engagement.
2. Cultural and Creative Careers (€15,000 fund)
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Nurtures artists, arts practitioners, and creative workers.
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Supports creative entrepreneurship and sustainability across the sector.
3. Connections (€7,000 fund)
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Encourages projects that bring communities together, engage all generations, and foster connections locally and globally.
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Uses creativity to promote understanding, participation, and shared experiences.
4. Change-Making (€7,000 fund)
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Supports initiatives that promote positive social impact in healthcare, social services, climate action, and biodiversity.
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Highlights the role of culture in wellbeing, awareness-raising, and societal change.
5. Cultural and Creative Economy (€15,000 fund)
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Encourages innovation, participation, and engagement across the cultural and creative industries.
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Focus areas include film, screen, and digital technology, supporting sustainable creative enterprise.
How to Apply
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Confirm Eligibility
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Ensure your project is based in Limerick city or county.
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Align with one or more of the five funding strands.
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Prepare Application
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Include a project description, objectives, activities, expected outcomes, and budget.
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Demonstrate community participation, accessibility, and impact.
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Submit Application
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Follow Limerick City and County Council’s grant submission process.
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Ensure applications are complete, clear, and submitted before the deadline.
Common Mistakes and Tips
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Failing to engage the community from project conception to delivery.
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Submitting projects that do not align with the five strategic strands.
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Incomplete applications or unclear budget and project objectives.
Tips for Success:
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Emphasize participation, collaboration, and local engagement.
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Clearly describe the expected impact on communities.
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Highlight alignment with Limerick’s Culture and Creativity Strategy.
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Ensure applications are concise, well-organized, and fully documented.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can apply for these grants?
Limerick-based artists, creatives, and community organisations, including groups representing communities of place or interest.
2. What is the funding range?
Grants range from €1,000 to €5,000, with average awards between €4,000 and €4,500.
3. How many projects will be funded?
Approximately 13 projects are expected to be supported across Limerick city and county.
4. What types of projects are eligible?
Projects that enhance creativity, cultural participation, community engagement, social impact, or the creative economy.
5. Can projects charge fees for participation?
Projects are expected to be free to participate in and, where possible, free to attend.
6. What are the strategic funding strands?
Place-Making, Cultural and Creative Careers, Connections, Change-Making, and Cultural and Creative Economy.
7. When must projects take place?
All funded projects must occur during the 2026 calendar year.
Why This Grant Scheme Matters
The Small Grants Scheme promotes inclusive, community-centered creativity across Limerick, helping artists and groups deliver projects that enrich local culture, celebrate heritage, and strengthen community connections. By fostering participation and collaboration, the scheme ensures creativity is accessible and impactful for all residents.
Conclusion
The Limerick Creative Communities Small Grants Scheme 2026 provides a valuable platform for artists and community groups to turn ideas into action, empower local communities, and strengthen the city and county’s creative ecosystem. By supporting projects that prioritize participation, inclusion, and cultural innovation, the scheme helps creativity thrive across Limerick while fostering long-term social, cultural, and economic benefits.
For more information, visit Limerick City and County Council.
