Apply now for Creative Communities Grant Scheme (Ireland)

Funding Information

• A maximum of €10,000 will be awarded per year up to three years.
• The minimum that can be applied for is €2,000 per year up to three years.

Eligibility Criteria

• The scheme is open to any group, organisation, or collective working to create or improve opportunities for creative engagement and experience in their community in County Cork.
• The scheme aims to promote creative engagement in communities by bringing together communities of place or interest, artists, creatives, festivals, voluntary and community groups, arts and heritage organisations, and others.
• Where the applicant is an artist/arts group they must have the support of a specific community or target group they wish to work with.
• Where the applicant is a community group, they must identify a specific artist or group of artists they wish to work with.
• The project must be in the Cork County functional area.
• The application should include details of the proposed group or community, an outline of how a programme of engagement will be developed, the location(s) in which the work will take place and a summary of intended outcomes.
• The proposal must include a section addressing how the project will actively promote and contribute to Cork County Council’s Arts and Culture activities, aligning with the aims of the Cork County Creative Ireland Strategy 2023-27.
• Eligible proposals must demonstrate a clear creative purpose and a benefit to the community.
• Reporting and draw down must be completed by 01 October 2025, where the project extends in to 2026/2027 the midterm reporting and drawdown will due on 01 October of each year.
• Proposals must be for a creative project, event or activity that is not currently available or accessible in the community or to a less advantaged group.

Assessment Criteria

• Expressions of Interest will be scored on the following:
  • Experience in leading participatory/ community/ collaborative arts projects of high artistic quality.
  • Detailed description of at least one socially engaged/participatory arts project that shows ability to manage, evaluate and document project outcomes.
  • The extent to which the proposal has a clear creative purpose, is accessible to diverse audiences and participants and will be appropriate and inclusive in its theme and approach.
  • The extent to which the proposed event/project is ambitious and original and maximises citizen engagement.
  • That the budget is realistic and feasible.

Application Requirements

• Placemaking programmes that help communities connect with their towns or villages. These programmes will be developed in collaboration with community groups and organisations.
• Programmes that include multicultural or multigenerational communities with opportunities for multiple voices to access, co-create and produce high-quality cultural outputs.
• Submissions that develop an open welcoming environment where people of different backgrounds can work together creatively.
• Submissions supporting participation in creative endeavours in communities. Creating a sense of belonging, good practice, sharing knowledge and experiences, leading to intercultural understanding, cooperation, and social cohesion.

For more information, visit Cork County Council.