Deadline: 28-Feb-25
The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme is funded by Sport Ireland and offers financial supports to local clubs, groups and organisations, nationwide who promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people.
This Active National Grant Scheme for Sport and Physical Activity for Older People is one element of the extensive Active Programme which has resulted from this funding.
Aim
- The Active National Grant Scheme aims to assist in the implementation of locally developed, well-planned initiatives designed to increase participation in recreational sport and physical activity by older people. In particular, the scheme is aimed at:
- Supporting the work of Age & Opportunity’s Active Programme including the network of PALs (Physical Activity Leaders) and CarePALs, and the development of Go for Life Games and other initiatives,
- Assisting local clubs/organisations/care settings to enhance existing opportunities for their members in recreational sport and physical activity,
- Assisting local clubs/organisations/care settings to start new initiatives geared at involving older people in recreational sport and physical activity,
- Encouraging sports clubs to provide new initiatives within their clubs aimed at getting older people involved in their sport,
- Assisting those working in care settings (both nursing homes and day care settings) to introduce more initiatives to increase physical activity levels of those in their care.
Funding Information
- Funds permitting, grants will be between €250 and €700.
What will be funded?
- Physical Activity Programme
- For example:
- A five-week programme to introduce older people to an activity such as Go for Life Games, aerobics, aquafit, tai chi etc. Costs of hall hire will only be considered if necessary for the five-week programme and forms part of the overall cost,
- An initiative by a sports club to involve more older people – the purchase of specialised equipment, facility hire, or a qualified independent instructor might form part of the overall cost,
- An initiative by a sports club that reaches out to older peoples’ groups within the community like Active Retirement, ICA groups or Men’s/Women’s Sheds etc.
- A series of yoga or dance classes delivered online to older people,
- An outdoor activity like a cycling/walking programme.
- For example:
- Purchase of Equipment/Resource Materials
- For example: Go for Life Games equipment, pitch and putt set, badminton racquets.
- Participation Events
- For example: Organising regular Go for Life Games or a Sportsfest aimed at introducing older people to a range of recreational sports.
Eligibility Criteria
- Grants are available to all eligible local clubs, groups, care settings and organisations that promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people as a main element of their activities.
- Umbrella bodies, or their agents, are not eligible for funding under this grant scheme.
- An exception to this is Local Sports Partnerships who are eligible to apply.
- Note: Funding for sports clubs will only be considered if the application specifically relates to older people (aged 50+ years), and they will be the overall beneficiaries of the grant.
- We will be prioritising sports like Pickleball, Go for Life Games and adapted sports like Walking Football and Walking Hockey etc.
- Funding for sports equipment will be prioritised for equipment specifically designed or adapted for older people.
Key Criteria
- Applications are encouraged from clubs/organisations/care settings that:
- Have the potential to increase levels and frequency of participation in recreational sport and physical activity among older people in their setting or local area,
- Can act as showcases or successful demonstration projects that can be replicated by other clubs/organisations/care settings in the future,
- Have the potential to develop into a sustainable, longer-term programme,
- Are developing initiatives in designated disadvantaged areas,
- Are developing initiatives for minority older populations or older groups with special needs,
- Have one or more active Physical Activity Leaders (PALs)
Ineligibility Criteria
- Non-sporting or non-physical activities – e.g. day trips
- Audio-visual equipment – e.g. DVD or CD players, televisions
- Exercise machines – e.g. treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bicycles
- Clothing or Footwear – of any kind
- Ongoing Commitments – e.g. membership fees for gyms or sports clubs, cost of hire of facilities or employment of professional instructors on an ongoing basis
- Club Insurance/Taxes or Rates
- Foreign Travel/Visits
- Feasibility Studies
For more information, visit Age & Opportunity.