Galway sports clubs urged to apply for grants of up to €750,000 under revamped scheme

The next round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) will open for registrations next Monday, featuring higher grant ceilings, a redesigned three-tier system, and reduced lease requirements for applicants.

Under the new structure, local grants will provide funding of up to €250,000, while Tier 2 grants will offer between €250,000 and €550,000.

A newly introduced Tier 3 will provide allocations of up to €750,000 for larger multi-sport projects, according to local Fine Gael TD and Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton.

The revised scheme also introduces easier eligibility rules, simpler application requirements, and measures designed to encourage formal partnerships between local sports clubs and schools.

Ms Naughton has urged clubs in her constituency to begin preparing applications ahead of the opening date.

“The Community Sport Facilities Fund has transformed sports facilities in every county, helping clubs to grow, attract new members and provide better opportunities for people of every age to participate in sport,” she said.

“This new round builds on that success. We’ve increased funding limits, introduced a brand-new funding tier for larger projects and simplified the application process so that even more organisations can benefit.”

Ms Naughton noted that clubs across Galway had previously used funding from the scheme to finance capital works including pitches, floodlights, dressing rooms, walking tracks, and wider community sports amenities.

“I would encourage every eligible club and community organisation to begin preparing now. This is a real opportunity to invest in facilities that will serve local communities for generations,” she said.

“Every community knows the difference that good sporting facilities make – not only for players, but for volunteers, families and local communities.”

Registrations for the fund will open on September 28 on the department’s new online platform, SPRAOI. Organisations already registered under the previous OSCAR system will be transferred automatically.

The department will publish an information guide detailing terms and conditions during the week of October 12, with formal applications opening on Monday, October 19.

The application window will remain open for more than four months before closing on Friday, February 26, 2027.