Mayo Sports Partnership launches 2026 Club Development Small Grant Scheme
Mayo Sports Partnership is delighted to announce details of its Sports Investment Scheme for 2026.
The scheme, supported by Sport Ireland, has a total available fund of €35,000 which is categorized under 3 headings. Please review the criteria of all available funds
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Participation Initiatives (€25,000) -Invites clubs and organizations who have sport / recreation as their central focus to submit proposals which would return participants to sporting activities and/ or increase participation amongst disadvantaged groups of our population including people with a disability. (Max amount per application €1000)
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Diversity & Integration Initiatives (€5,000) - Invites clubs and organizations to submit physical activity / sport proposals that promote Diversity / Integration.
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Volunteer Training / Education Fund (€5,000) – Coach Education and general volunteer training ie First Aid etc can be supported to a maximum of 50% of the total cost. Note: Excludes Safeguarding courses as these are already subsidized by the Partnership.
Since the scheme was established hundreds of initiatives have been assisted in communities across Mayo. The continued development of Sport for All in clubs has been supported with considerable awareness of the need to include people with a disability in all sports.
Mayo Sports Partnership Chairperson Lyndon Jones commented “We are delighted to be able support clubs and communities throughout the county through this scheme. I would encourage organisations to apply for initiatives that target participation by groups such as people with a disability, women, disadvantaged youth, ethnic minorities to name but a few ”.
Sports Partnership Head Charlie Lambert added: “ A big thank you to Sport Ireland & the Dormant Account Fund for their continued support in making this funding available through Mayo Sports Partnership. With the assistance of Mayo County Council we would hope to be able to make these allocations, once approved by the Sports Partnership committee, in June 2026”.
Organisations / Groups are asked to note that any capital / building projects are not eligible for investment under the schemes criteria and clubs should refer to the governments Community Facilities Fund, see https://www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie/ . Other items such as ongoing costs for teams ie travel costs, competition costs, registration fees, sponsorship etc are also not eligible.
Please Note: When registering your organisation or submitting an email address in the application please use your official club email address ie ballintubbercyclingclub@gmail.com
Scheme Funding Criteria
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General Participation & Diversity / Integration Initiatives
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Volunteer Training / Education Fund
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Who can apply
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(a) All Sporting Clubs affiliated with an NGB
(b) Community Groups who deliver sport and physical activity programmes
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(a) All Sporting Groups affiliated with an NGB
(b) Community Groups who deliver sport and physical activity programmes
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What can be applied for
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Costs associated with running a Participation Programme:
Promotion Costs
Coach /Tutor Costs
Venue Costs
Refreshment Costs
Once off events
Small Scale Equipment
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Training / Coach Education Courses to upskill your volunteers
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What CANNOT be applied for
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Annual Operation Costs
Insurance
Registration fees (Unless targeted at disadvantaged)
Affiliation fees
Travel/Transport Costs
Capital Costs ie Buildings, fences, scoreboards etc
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Sport Leader
Safe Guarding
(already supported through LSP)
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Dates for which receipts can be used
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Costs can include expenditure from January 2026- 30 October 2026
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Costs can include expenditure from January 2026 – 30 October 2026
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Maximum fund available
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€1000
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Max Rate of 50% of course costs (subject to overall cost of the course)
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Closing Date
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Wednesday 13th May 2026 at 5pm
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Wednesday 13th May 2026 at 5pm
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Please note that all applications are to be made online. Closing date for all applications is 5pm Wednesday 13th May 2026 , maximum allocation to any one project can be €1,000, this is dependent on meeting the criteria and overall quality of the initiative. The Mayo Sports Partnership committee will decide on all successful applications and its recommendations are final. If clubs / groups require assistance on the scheme email mayosportspartnership@mayococo.ie or phone the Sports Partnership office at 094-9064360.
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