Open Call: GK Dún Laoghaire Sustainability Fund (Ireland)

Deadline: 29-Apr-2026

The GK Dún Laoghaire Sustainability Fund supports community-led environmental projects within a two-kilometre radius of Dún Laoghaire Harbour. Grants of up to €7,000 (Seed and Grow) or €35,000 (Flourish) are available for initiatives focused on climate action, nature, sustainable communities, and circular economy practices.

Overview

The GK Dún Laoghaire Sustainability Fund provides financial support for community-driven environmental initiatives in Dún Laoghaire, targeting projects within a two-kilometre radius of the harbour.

The fund focuses on:

• Climate action and climate justice
• Nature and wildlife conservation
• Water stewardship
• Sustainable food and agriculture
• Circular economy including repair and reuse
• Environmental education and awareness
• Sustainable communities and transport
• Arts and heritage with a climate focus
• Community resilience and adaptation
• Marine waste reduction
• Nature-based solutions

Projects may be practical initiatives or early-stage activities such as planning, training, and capacity building.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• Not-for-profit organisations, community groups, charities, schools, and social enterprises
• Organisations operating within Dún Laoghaire or within two kilometres of the harbour
• Must have financial accounts, governance structures, and a dedicated organisational bank account

Grant Streams

Seed and Grow Grants

• Funding: Up to €7,000
• Target: New ideas, pilot initiatives, or ongoing projects needing support to expand
• Eligible Applicants: Broad range of community organisations and groups

Flourish Grants

• Funding: Up to €35,000
• Target: Established organisations with at least two years of active environmental work
• Purpose: Scale and strengthen existing sustainability programmes

Eligible Costs

Both grant streams can cover:

• Project planning and delivery
• Staff wages and training
• Equipment and materials
• Collaboration and partnership expenses
• Administrative costs within defined limits

How to Apply

1. Confirm your organisation meets eligibility criteria.
2. Identify a community-led environmental need and develop a project plan.
3. Outline objectives, activities, expected outcomes, and measurable impact.
4. Submit your application via the official Green Kite portal by the specified deadline.
5. For collaborative projects, designate a lead applicant organisation.

Key Considerations and Tips

• Demonstrate clear environmental impact and measurable outcomes.
• Engage local community members in project design and delivery.
• Address specific local challenges within the Dún Laoghaire area.
• Highlight long-term sustainability and replicability of project outcomes.
• Ensure governance, financial reporting, and bank account requirements are met.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the funding range?
   Seed and Grow: up to €7,000; Flourish: up to €35,000.
2. Who is eligible to apply?
   Not-for-profit organisations, community groups, schools, charities, and social enterprises within two kilometres of Dún Laoghaire Harbour.
3. What types of projects are supported?
   Environmental initiatives addressing climate, nature, sustainable food, circular economy, marine waste, education, and community resilience.
4. Can collaborative applications be submitted?
   Yes, with one organisation acting as the lead applicant.
5. What costs can be covered?
   Project planning, staff wages, training, equipment, collaboration expenses, and administrative costs within defined limits.
6. How long do projects typically run?
   Most projects are expected to run for twelve months, starting in August.
7. What factors increase chances of success?
   Projects demonstrating community participation, local relevance, measurable outcomes, and clear environmental impact.

Conclusion

The GK Dún Laoghaire Sustainability Fund empowers local organisations to drive meaningful environmental change in their communities. By supporting both new and established initiatives, the program fosters climate action, sustainability education, and community resilience, creating lasting benefits for the Dún Laoghaire area.

For more information, visit Community Foundation Ireland.