Deadline: 11-Mar-2026
The Reach Fund 2026 is a community education grant program designed to support educationally disadvantaged learners in accessing learning opportunities. It prioritizes funding for digital infrastructure, climate literacy, and outreach programs for marginalized groups. Managed locally by the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), the fund provides receipt-based reimbursement for non-pay costs and equipment up to the end of 2026.
The Reach Fund (formerly the Mitigation against Educational Disadvantage Fund – MAEDF) is a strategic initiative aimed at increasing participation in community education. It specifically targets individuals who face barriers to learning, such as literacy, numeracy, or digital skills gaps. By providing community groups with the necessary resources, the fund helps bridge the educational divide across Ireland.
Why It Matters: Addressing the Digital and Educational Divide
Education is the primary pathway for social and economic mobility. However, many marginalized groups face a “participation gap” due to a lack of resources or digital access.
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Digital Equality: By funding hardware and software, the Reach Fund ensures that learners can participate in a modern, digital-first economy.
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Social Inclusion: Outreach and pre-development work allow education providers to find and support learners who are “hardest to reach.
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Climate Literacy: The fund integrates global challenges into local education, supporting Climate Justice and Sustainable Development goals.
Focus Areas and Project Priorities
The Reach Fund supports four primary categories of educational initiatives:
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Widening Participation: Projects designed to bring new learners from target groups into the education system.
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Digital Infrastructure: Purchasing devices (laptops, tablets) and software to enhance program delivery.
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Outreach and Pre-development: Active engagement and support work for the most marginalized groups to prepare them for formal learning.
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Climate and Sustainability: Education programs focused on climate justice and building climate literacy within communities.
Who Is Eligible?
Target Learner Groups
The fund is specifically designed to support the following individuals:
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Youth & Employment: Learners under 25 and the long-term unemployed.
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Marginalized Communities: Traveller and Roma communities, migrants, and refugees.
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Health & Ability: People with disabilities and individuals impacted by mental health or addiction issues.
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Social Disadvantage: Lone parents, carers, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and early school leavers.
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Crisis Situations: People experiencing homelessness or those socially/economically disadvantaged.
Eligible Applicants
Funding is available to:
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Community education providers.
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Local community groups and agencies.
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Non-profit organizations delivering community-based education programs.
Funding Rules and Constraints
The Reach Fund operates on a receipted expenditure basis, meaning organizations must pay for the items first and receive reimbursement upon providing proof of purchase.
| Expense Type | Rule/Constraint |
| Capital Items | Individual items must not exceed €1,000 (excluding VAT). |
| Pay Costs | Salary or pay costs are not eligible for funding. |
| Recurring Costs | General ongoing operational costs are not covered. |
| Expenditure Deadline | All funds must be spent and receipted by the end of 2026. |
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
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Identify Need: Determine the specific target group and resource gap (e.g., need for 5 tablets for a literacy class).
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Obtain Quotes: Follow the procurement rules based on your project value:
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Up to €5,000: One written quote required.
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€5,001 – €15,000: Three written quotes plus an evaluation sheet.
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Over €15,000: Proof of a formal tender process.
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Submit Application: Apply through the LOETB (Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board) application portal.
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Sign MOU: Successful applicants must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
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Purchase & Claim: Purchase the approved items, then submit proof of purchase and a receipted expenditure claim for reimbursement.
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Report & Acknowledge: Submit a Project Completion Report and display a supplied plaque acknowledging LOETB support.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Missing Procurement Rules: Applying for a €6,000 grant with only one quote will lead to immediate rejection.
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Applying for Staff Pay: The fund strictly prohibits using grants for tutor or administrator salaries.
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Exceeding Single Item Limits: Buying a high-end specialized laptop for €1,200 will be ineligible as it exceeds the €1,000 per-item cap.
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Lack of Proof: Failing to keep original, clear receipts will prevent the reimbursement of funds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use the fund to pay for a guest speaker or tutor?
No. The Reach Fund does not cover pay costs or salaries. It is intended for infrastructure, outreach, and resources.
2. What happens if the final cost is different from my quote?
The fund reimburses based on actual receipted expenditure. If the cost is higher than the approved grant, you must cover the difference. If it is lower, the reimbursement will be reduced to the actual cost.
3. Does the €1,000 cap include VAT?
No. The €1,000 limit per capital item is excluding VAT.
4. Who monitors the project?
Projects are monitored by the LOETB Reach Fund Internal Review Group to ensure funds are used as intended.
5. Can an organization apply for more than one project?
Yes, provided the projects target different needs or learner groups and fall within the focus areas.
6. Do I need audited accounts to apply?
Audited accounts are generally required for any application exceeding €5,000.
7. What is “Pre-development work”?
This refers to the initial engagement phase—building trust with marginalized communities and helping them gain the confidence to enter a learning program.
Conclusion
The Reach Fund 2026 is a vital resource for community organizations in the Laois and Offaly regions. By focusing on non-pay barriers such as digital poverty and outreach, it empowers local providers to re-engage learners who have been excluded from the traditional education system. Successful applicants are those who clearly demonstrate how their project will impact the most disadvantaged in their community while strictly adhering to procurement and expenditure guidelines.
For more information, visit LOETB.