Deadline: 10-Oct-2025
The Rethink Ireland, together with the Sunflower Charitable Foundation and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, has unveiled a €1.5 million Children’s Active Play Fund designed to support projects across Ireland that help children and young people to stay active, healthy, and connected.
This three-year fund invites registered charities to propose innovative initiatives that encourage movement, playful learning, and community connection among youth. The award includes a multi-year cash grant that ranges between €130,000 and €210,000 per project, depending on scale and need.
Beyond the grant, successful projects benefit from rich non-financial support through Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Programme. This includes tailored capacity-building services such as strategic planning, communications support, impact measurement, fundraising insight, and access to a broader network of like-minded changemakers.
During this period, applicants can join one-hour webinars on 24 September and 1 October to get clarity on eligibility and the application process, or reach out directly if they need assistance with access or accessibility.
To qualify, projects must already be underway or tested in a minimal form, delivering real impact rooted in evidence-based or community-driven approaches. Preference is given to work that tackles inequities in health, champions underserved youth, builds cross-sectoral partnerships, and contributes to Ireland’s green transition. The fund strictly does not support new concepts, capital purchases, political or faith-based projects, or activity based outside the Republic of Ireland.
If your organisation has previously received Rethink Ireland funding, you may still apply—provided the new proposal represents a logical continuation with distinct leadership and objectives. Once applications are reviewed, shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews in late November, with final funding decisions expected by March 2026 and grants running until the fund’s planned close at the end of 2028.
For more information, visit Rethink Ireland.
