Deadline: 14-Feb-2026
The RISE Community Fund, supported by National Broadband Ireland and Granahan McCourt, provides monthly €1,000 grants to rural and urban local businesses, farms, community groups, and social enterprises seeking to enhance their digital strategies. The fund focuses on projects that clearly demonstrate digital needs and technology-driven impact, helping bridge the rural-urban digital divide. Applicants must be over 18, have an annual turnover of no more than €500,000, and participate in sharing project outcomes and best practices.
Overview
The RISE Community Fund aims to strengthen local digital ecosystems by supporting organizations and initiatives that leverage technology for meaningful impact.
The fund focuses on:
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Bridging the rural-urban digital divide
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Supporting technology-driven initiatives for small organizations, farms, and community groups
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Promoting digital skills, innovation, and strategic growth
Funding Details
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Grant amount: €1,000 per project
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Frequency: Monthly
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County allocation (Feb 2025 example): Two grants of €1,000 per county
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Payment method: Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
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Total annual turnover limit for applicants: €500,000
Eligible Uses of Funding
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Digital strategy development
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Technology integration for community impact
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Enhancing online presence, digital tools, or IT capabilities
Note: Non-technology-related applications are not considered.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants must:
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Be over 18 years of age
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Be local businesses, farms, social enterprises, or community groups
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Have truthful and verifiable application information
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Submit a recent bank statement matching the organization’s name for payment
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
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Identify digital needs for your project or organization
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Prepare application detailing how technology will create impact
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Submit application during the monthly intake
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Provide bank statement for fund transfer processing
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Participate in publicity and share updates on project outcomes
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Disseminate best practices to support other organizations
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Respond to any due diligence requests from RISE
Evaluation Process
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Submissions are reviewed and shortlisted by the RISE Team and Board
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Selection based on:
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Clarity of digital need
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Demonstrated technology impact
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Feasibility and scalability of the project
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Responsibilities of Awardees
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Participate in project publicity
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Share updates and outcomes with RISE
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Help disseminate best practices to benefit other local organizations
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Provide additional information for grant management and accountability if requested
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Submitting projects without a clear digital focus
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Providing inaccurate or incomplete information
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Failing to provide a bank statement matching the applicant’s name
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Ignoring publicity and reporting expectations
Why This Program Matters
The RISE Community Fund:
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Empowers small organizations to adopt and leverage technology
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Helps close the digital gap between rural and urban areas
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Supports sustainable growth and innovation in local communities
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Builds knowledge-sharing networks through project outcomes and best practices
Conclusion
The RISE Community Fund is a practical opportunity for local businesses, community groups, farms, and social enterprises to enhance digital capabilities, drive innovation, and strengthen their community impact. With small but meaningful monthly grants, the program fosters a culture of technology adoption and knowledge sharing across Ireland.
For more information, visit RISE Global Foundation.
