March 26, 2026

Small grants making a big difference in Clare communities — the 2026 Community Organisation Grant Call is now open!

Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) is inviting applications from County Clare-based community organisations for the 2026 SICAP Community Organisation Grant Call, designed to help local groups, social enterprises, and community gardens grow their impact in County Clare.

These small grants, ranging from €500 to €2,500, support community organisations working with disadvantaged or marginalised groups to strengthen their capacity, improve governance, deliver local projects, and enhance inclusion in their communities.

Eligibility criteria

  • To be eligible, groups must be based in County Clare, be registered with SICAP, and be able to show how their work supports SICAP target groups and aims.
  • Community gardens must be members of CLDC’s Community Gardens Network.
  • Social enterprises must employ fewer than ten people (except in exceptional cases), be members of the Social Enterprise Network, and provide 20% matching funding.​
  • Funding for social enterprises must not displace existing local jobs.


Funding details
Funding is available under three categories — Local Community Groups, Community Gardens, and Social Enterprises — with priority given to projects that support SICAP target groups and contribute to SICAP’s local development goals.

The grant cannot be used for ongoing running costs such as rent, insurance, utilities, or for funding statutory providers’ breakfast clubs or homework clubs, or travel and subsistence for staff of other service providers.

Only one successful application per community organisation can be funded each year.

Interested groups must first complete an Expression of Interest and be registered with SICAP; shortlisted organisations will then be invited to complete a full application form.

Dates to remember
The call opens 1st April 2026, with a closing date of 3rd June 2026, and all grant activities must be completed by 30th September 2026.

Successful groups will need to submit receipts, bank statements, a short report and evidence acknowledging SICAP/CLDC support as part of final paperwork by the expenditure deadline.

To learn more or submit an expression of interest, fill out the form on SICAP Programme Page or email sicap@cldc.ie

Together, we can help Clare communities turn good ideas into lasting local action.