Community Projects Grant

1. Tidy Towns Grant Scheme
2. Community Environmental Grant Scheme

Tidy Towns Grant Scheme

Our Tidy Towns Grant Scheme is currently closed. 

The National Tidy Towns Competition 2024 continues in it’s new format and in order to assist you and support your efforts,  Tidy Towns Grants should complement at least one of the National Tidy Towns competition categories. The Community Climate action category is designed to encourage local activities that support our Climate Change Adaptation Strategy – for example tree planting, promoting smarter travel, innovative waste management (grass mulching) etc. 

Applications are invited from interested not for profit bodies, groups, committees and organisations (excluding sporting organisations) who intend to engage in environmental/amenity works during 2024. Any works for which funding is sought must be of benefit to the community. All work must be carried out in an environmentally sustainable manner and comply with all relevant legislation. Satisfactory arrangements for future management and maintenance must also be in place. 

Community Environmental Grants Scheme

Our Community Environmental Grants Scheme is currently closed. 

General conditions

• All receipts relating to the application must be submitted when works are completed and registered with Revenue. 
• Include before and after photographs together with completion report. 
• Community Grants are available to non-profit bodied groups and organisations only. 
• All works carried out must comply with Planning Legislation and all Local Authority requirements. Applicants should liaise with relevant Local Authority sections and it is recommended that all bodies, groups, committees and organisations arrange adequate and suitable insurance cover and provide for maintenance and upkeep after the works are completed subject to the satisfaction of Laois County Council. 
• If proposed works (for example landscaping and other similar types) are on private property (that is to say not Council owned) written permission must be given by landowner and copy supplied. 
• The maximum grant will be determined based on the number of complete and valid applications received. 

What projects are eligible to qualify?

Projects designed to improve and/or protect amenities or for the enhancement of the appearance of an area will be considered along with environmental and amenity initiatives that will benefit the local community. 

For example, amenity works including landscaping, development of open spaces (planting trees & shrubs, flowerbeds etc) and/or purchase of equipment to maintain/improve/clean up areas/open spaces that is to say, lawnmowers. 

What are the eligibility criteria?

Tidy Town groups are not eligible for this grant. 

• Incomplete applications will be returned. 
• Failure to submit all relevant details by the closing date will result in the application being refused. 
• Applicants that did not return receipts/invoices/completed report sheets for 2023 may not be eligible to apply. 

How do I apply?

Download a copy of the Community Grants Scheme Application 2024 (Closing date 1st March 2024)

The application form must be accompanied with the following: 

• A copy of minutes of a meeting held by the applicant body within the past six months. 
• A detailed estimate/quotation for 2024 of the cost of the proposed works. Please include a written quotation for goods and services. (It is important that cost estimates should be as accurate and realistic as possible). 
• Be revenue compliant and provide TRN / Revenue Number for your group/committee, this must be applied for through from Revenue. 
• New Committees or those who have changed their details must also request a supplier set up form from the Community Section or download online to complete bank payment details. 

Applications can be sent via post to Catherine Guidera, Community Department,  Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, JFL Ave, Portlaoise, Co. Laois R32 EHP9 or email communitygrants@laoiscoco.ie