*Áras an Chontae, Prospect Hill, Galway. Photo Galway County Council
IN A significant boost to the economic, community and cultural development of County Galway, 267 local community groups and events are set to receive combined grant funding of €321,750.
At the March meeting of Galway County Council held in Áras an Chontae on Monday, elected members approved €303,750 in funding under Galway County Council’s Community Support Schemes, in addition to €18,000 allocated under Fáilte Ireland’s Regional Festivals and Participative Events funding scheme.
The purpose of Galway County Council’s Community Support Schemes is to encourage community and voluntary groups to take an active part in the development of their communities by providing small-scale funding for projects that benefit their local community. The Community Support Schemes comprise three individual Support Schemes for economic, community and culturaldeevelopment.
The grants are diverse and range from support to improve local amenities and facilities; support for groups that promote and increase knowledge and awareness of the arts, heritage and Irish language throughout the county; to collaborative business promotional initiatives, festivals or participative events, which aim to increase footfall in towns and villages and drive economic growth.
Cllr. Martina Kinnane (FF), Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, stated, “Each year, the Community Support Scheme attracts a high level of interest and the recognition of the level of voluntary work right across the county and the significant impact of the work being undertaken was acknowledged by the Elected Members when approving the allocation of funds”.
“On behalf of the elected members, I want to thank all the community groups that work tirelessly for their local communities and strive to make our local areas a better place to live, work and visit. In recognition of this work, it gives me great pleasure to endorse the Galway County Community Support Scheme awards for 2025,” added the Cathaoirleach.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said, “The Community Support Schemes will enable over €300,000 to be invested in the community and voluntary sector in the County. This investment would not be possible without the work and volunteerism provided by our communities and citizens who play a vital part in keeping communities alive and improving the quality of life and wellbeing in Galway”.
Kieran Coyne, Acting Director of Services, stated, “The Community Support Schemes are a significant and popular funding scheme for groups in Galway County. The allocations provided through the Community Support Schemes are part of a wider range of funding schemes and we will continue to seek to maximise these through coordinating the schemes and directing communities to the most appropriate funding schemes for their planned projects and activities, while working in a collaborative and partnership approach with all stakeholders.
“I would like to thank the Elected Members for the huge role they play, and I also want to acknowledge the role of the Public Participation Network which plays a vital part in informing and advising the community and voluntary groups regarding this and other funding schemes,” added Mr. Coyne.
