Deadline: 26-Jun-2026
The Power to Participate: Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement Fund 2026 has been launched by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to strengthen the participation and capacity of Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs) and civil society organisations advocating for disabled people in Ireland.
The fund supports stakeholder engagement linked to the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030 and aims to improve governance, advocacy, operational capacity, and participation in public policy and decision-making processes.
Program Objectives
The fund aims to:
- Strengthen disability stakeholder participation in public policy
- Improve governance and operational capacity of disability organisations
- Support advocacy and representation for disabled people
- Increase engagement with State institutions and policy processes
- Promote equality, participation, and inclusion
- Support implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030
The strategy is built around five thematic pillars:
- Inclusive Learning and Education
- Employment
- Independent Living and Active Participation in Society
- Wellbeing and Health
- Transport and Mobility
The strategy seeks to ensure disabled people can fully participate in Irish society on an equal basis with others.
Funding Details
- Total funding available: Up to €750,000
- Funding is distributed across three funding strands
- The initiative supports governance, participation, advocacy, and operational development of disability organisations
Strand A: Support for Emerging Disability Organisations
Strand A supports disability advocacy organisations and civil society groups that are not yet legally registered.
Grant Amount
- €5,000 to €7,500 per organisation
Eligible Activities
Funding may support:
- Assistive technology purchases
- Hiring support personnel
- Training and capacity-building activities
- Legal registration and charity setup
- Governance development and board formation
- Accountancy and compliance services
Project Timeline
- Projects must begin in 2026
- Activities must be completed by 31 August 2027
Important Requirement
Applications under Strand A must be submitted by individual organisations.
Strand B: Capacity Strengthening for Registered Organisations
Strand B supports formally constituted or legally registered Disabled Persons’ Organisations and civil society organisations with a representative disability advocacy mandate.
Eligible Activities and Costs
Funding may support:
- Core operational expenses
- Staff recruitment and retention
- Researchers and advocacy personnel
- Training and professional development
- Venue hire and online meeting platforms
- Participation in UN and EU engagement structures
- Administration and organisational costs
- Small IT expenses and software
- Media production and communications
- Consultancy services
- Data mining and analysis activities
Funding Limits for Specific Costs
- Administration costs cannot exceed 15% of requested funding
- Small IT costs are capped at 10% of requested funding
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include:
- Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs)
- Civil society organisations advocating for disabled people
- Emerging disability advocacy groups
- Legally registered disability organisations
- Organisations with a representative disability advocacy mandate
Why This Fund Matters
The initiative supports:
- Meaningful participation of disabled people in policymaking
- Stronger disability advocacy and representation
- Improved organisational sustainability and governance
- Better collaboration between civil society and government
- Greater inclusion and equality in Irish society
The fund also strengthens Ireland’s commitments under the UNCRPD regarding stakeholder engagement and participation.
How to Apply
- Identify the appropriate funding strand for your organisation
- Prepare a project or organisational development plan
- Explain how the activities support disability participation and advocacy
- Develop a realistic budget within funding rules
- Demonstrate organisational capacity and representative mandate
- Submit the application according to fund guidelines before the deadline
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Relevance to disability rights and participation objectives
- Organisational capacity and governance
- Contribution to stakeholder engagement and advocacy
- Feasibility and value for money
- Long-term sustainability and impact
- Alignment with the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030
Tips for Strong Applications
- Clearly explain the organisation’s advocacy role and impact
- Demonstrate meaningful engagement with disabled communities
- Provide realistic budgets and implementation plans
- Highlight governance and capacity-building needs
- Show how the project strengthens participation and inclusion
- Ensure activities align with the Strategy’s thematic pillars
FAQ
What is the purpose of the Power to Participate Fund?
The fund supports disability organisations to strengthen participation, governance, advocacy, and engagement in public policy processes.
How much funding is available?
Up to €750,000 is available across multiple funding strands.
Who can apply?
Disabled Persons’ Organisations and civil society organisations advocating for disabled people in Ireland are eligible.
What is Strand A?
Strand A supports emerging disability organisations that are not yet legally registered.
What activities can Strand B funding support?
Strand B supports operational costs, staffing, training, advocacy activities, research, IT expenses, and organisational development.
Are there limits on administration and IT costs?
Yes. Administration costs are capped at 15%, while small IT costs are capped at 10% of requested funding.
Conclusion
The Power to Participate: Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement Fund 2026 supports disability organisations in Ireland to build stronger advocacy, governance, and participation structures. By investing in stakeholder engagement and organisational capacity, the initiative helps advance disability rights, inclusion, and meaningful participation in public policy and society.
For more information, visit gov.ie.