Active National Grant Scheme for Sport and Physical Activity for Older People in Ireland

Deadline: 27-Feb-2026

The Active National Grant Scheme supports locally developed initiatives that increase participation in recreational sport and physical activity among older adults in Ireland. Grants fund practical programmes, events, and equipment tailored to older people, with emphasis on inclusivity, sustainability, and meaningful community impact.

Programme Overview

The Active National Grant Scheme is designed to:

• Increase recreational sport and physical activity participation among older adults

• Support Age & Opportunity’s Active Programme, including Physical Activity Leaders and CarePALs

• Enhance opportunities within sports clubs, organisations, and care settings

• Develop new initiatives tailored for older people

• Encourage age-appropriate activities in local clubs

• Promote adapted and priority sports such as Pickleball, Go for Life Games, Walking Football, and Walking Hockey

• Support initiatives targeting disadvantaged areas, minority older populations, and groups with special needs

• Promote outdoor physical activity and inclusive participation

• Prioritise equipment designed or adapted for older people

Funding Details

• Grant Amounts: €250–€700 per initiative, subject to fund availability

• Eligible Uses:

  • Physical activity programmes

  • Purchase of age-appropriate equipment or resource materials

  • Participation events introducing older adults to recreational sport

• Focus: Short-term initiatives with sustainability, replication potential, and meaningful impact

Eligibility

• Local clubs, groups, organisations, and care settings working with older adults

• Initiatives where older people are the main beneficiaries

• Programmes can take place in community settings, sports clubs, outdoor environments, online platforms, or residential and day care facilities

Programme Objectives

The scheme builds on the collaboration between Sport Ireland and Age & Opportunity, established in 2001, to create inclusive opportunities for older adults to remain active, engaged, and socially connected.

By supporting practical, well-planned initiatives, the programme aims to:

• Strengthen local engagement and social participation among older adults

• Provide sustainable and replicable models for age-appropriate sport and physical activity

• Introduce older adults to new sports, activities, and social networks

FAQs

Q1: Who can apply?
A1: Local clubs, groups, organisations, and care settings that engage older adults.

Q2: What is the funding range?
A2: Grants range from €250 to €700 per initiative, subject to fund availability.

Q3: What activities are eligible for funding?
A3: Physical activity programmes, equipment/resources for older adults, and participation events introducing older adults to recreational sport.

Q4: Where can initiatives take place?
A4: Community settings, sports clubs, outdoor spaces, online platforms, or residential and day care facilities.

Q5: What types of sports are prioritised?
A5: Adapted sports such as Pickleball, Go for Life Games, Walking Football, Walking Hockey, and other age-appropriate activities.

Conclusion

The Active National Grant Scheme for 2026 continues to champion older adults’ participation in sport and physical activity across Ireland. By funding short-term, locally led initiatives, the programme fosters inclusion, promotes physical and social well-being, and supports sustainable, replicable models that can be adopted across communities, care settings, and clubs nationwide.

For more information, visit Age & Opportunity.