Applicants should submit any questions about the 2026 What Works In Communities Fund to WhatWorks@dcde.gov.ie. Anonymised versions of these questions and the DCDE responses will be published below.
Q: Is it permissible for an organisation to submit two applications to the fund, for different projects?
A: Only one application per organisation will be accepted.
Q: Can a consortium of different applications submit a joint application for this fund?
A: Yes, a consortium of organisations may submit a joint application.
Q: 1. Can a primary school apply for this funding? 2. We have recieved funding this year from another source for big playground items such as swings. Can we still apply for small items for play from the What works in Communities initiative? 3. Can we add in staff and parent training in play as part of the application?
A: 1. Unfortunately primary schools are not eligble for this funding. As per the Guidance Note, applicants “must operate outside of formal state-run systems such as education or health service delivery”.
2. If your application is eligible, small play items would be allowed.
3. If your application is eligible, staff and parent training may be included.
Q: Could you please confirm whether we would still be eligible to apply if we are currently receiving core funding from a government body, but for a different purpose/project?
A: Yes, in this case your organisation is eligible to apply since the existing funding is for a different purpose/project. The Guidance note states that “organisations already in receipt of funding from a Government Department or State Agency for a similar project are not eligible to apply”.
Q: From our understanding, the fund is aimed at supporting projects that benefit children, families, and the wider community, while aligning with values such as respect, equality, inclusion, participation, and evidence-informed practice. It seems that the focus is not only on delivering a service but also on developing and testing approaches that can demonstrate positive (or negative) outcomes and generate learning that can be shared with others. With this in mind, we are considering submitting a project focused on Emotional Wellbeing and Self-Regulation. Before proceeding, we would like to make sure that we are understanding the right thing and to gain some clarity on what the funding can be used for if our application is successful (e.g., staff training, resources, programme development, evaluation, etc.). We would also appreciate any advice you may have on how best to frame the application to align with the fund’s objectives.
A: Your understanding of the Fund is accurate. The funding can be used for any of the purposes you mentioned (staff training, resources, programme development, evaluation). Please refer to the “Eligible and Ineligible Project Costs” section of the Guidance Note for further clarification.
In relation to your final query, we unfortunately cannot offer any specific advice to applicants. The description of your project itself should directly or indirectly address this alignment if such an alignment exists, and there is also an opportunity to address this alignment directly at question 1B “Please describe how your project is aligned to the objectives of this Fund, as outlined on pages 3 and 4 of the Guidance Note”.
We would also emphasise that the fund is about prevention and early intervention. Prevention is defined as “providing a protective layer of support to stop problems from arising in the first place or from getting worse”, while Early Intervention is defined as “providing support at the earliest possible stages when problems occur” (Prevention and Early Intervention Network, 2026).
Q: I wanted to check if a cross organisational project that includes a university, a national clinical programme, and a clinical service site can be considered in an application? And also can the fund sit within the university?
A: The Guidance note states that “the project must have a prevention and early intervention focus. Prevention is defined as “providing a protective layer of support to stop problems from arising in the first place or from getting worse”, while Early Intervention is defined as “providing support at the earliest possible stages when problems occur” (Prevention and Early Intervention Network, 2026). For the purpose of this funding call, the “problems” in these definitions typically refer to social issues.”
In response to your other query, the Guidance note states that “the Fund specifically aims to support not-for-profit, non-statutory organisations based in the Republic of Ireland that are community-led and providing services, supports or advocacy for community benefit. They must operate outside of formal state-run systems such as education or health service delivery.” With this in mind, universities are not eligible to directly apply for this Fund, however it would be envisaged that universities can be a named partner on an application that is led by a community or voluntary group, typically bringing a research, evaluation, or training expertise to the project.
Q: 1. Would ethical approval from a University research ethics committee be considered an appropriate mechanism for such a project? 2. Where an external researcher is involved would a co-produced model involving active participation from organisational volunteers in project design, implementation, data collection and interpretation satisfy the funds requirements regarding researcher involvement and capacity building?
A: 1. Yes, this would be appropriate. As stated in the Guidance Note, “The responsibility for securing ethical approval rests with the applicant.”
2. Yes, this would satisfy the requirements.
Q: We run a bike hire business, and we have a number of various ability bikes for those with additional needs. We will also be opening a local initiative in the coming weeks again to deliver inclusive cycling classes. Could we apply for funding to deliver classes to local schools / services for those with additional needs?
A: As per the guidance note, “the Fund specifically aims to support not-for-profit, non-statutory organisations based in the Republic of Ireland that are community-led and providing services, supports or advocacy for community benefit”.
In addition, “the project must have a prevention and early intervention focus. Prevention is defined as “providing a protective layer of support to stop problems from arising in the first place or from getting worse”, while Early Intervention is defined as “providing support at the earliest possible stages when problems occur” (Prevention and Early Intervention Network, 2026). For the purpose of this funding call, the “problems” in these definitions typically refer to social issues.”
If your organisation meets these criteria, then the application will be considered eligible.
Q: Would you be able to clarify if a proposal that aims to evaluate an existing prevention and early intervention programme can include the costs of running the programme or can only the costs associated with the actual evaluation be included? For context, we would be evaluating a school-based programme that supports young people in transitioning from primary to secondary school by building their resilience. Would printing of materials (Teacher guides and student booklets) used to implement the programme in schools be eligible?
A: The Guidance Note states that “projects must apply one of the following approaches:
1. Piloting and testing innovative prevention and early intervention approaches.
2. Scaling up existing prevention and early intervention approaches where there is an opportunity to better understand how and in what contexts these approaches are effective.
3. Evaluating an existing prevention and early intervention project so it can contribute to the national evidence base and potentially be upscaled and/or replicated elsewhere.”
Programme costs may be included if they align with any of the above approaches.
Regarding your second query, there is a table of Eligible Costs in the Guidance Note. One row on this table is “Administration costs (e.g. printing, advertising, media, graphic design, travel and subsistence costs) where these are project specific and do not to exceed 15% of the budget”.
Q: Our registered charity provides essential support to vulnerable individuals and families within the local community. Could you please confirm if our organisation that meets the fund’s eligibility criteria?
A: As per the guidance note, “the Fund specifically aims to support not-for-profit, non-statutory organisations based in the Republic of Ireland that are community-led and providing services, supports or advocacy for community benefit”.
If your organisation meets these criteria, along with the other points included in the section of the Guidance Note “Eligibility for the 2026 What Works In Communities Fund”, then it will be considered eligible.
Q: I work for a community and voluntary organisation operating in the healthcare sector and in receipt of funding from the HSE. We are seeking funding to conduct prevention and early intervention research on supporting children in difficult circumstances. Do we fulfil the eligibility criteria?
A: The project as you have outlined would be appear to be eligible under the criteria outlined in the Guidance Note. Please note the submission of your application does not guarantee funding.
Q: Are supporting materials accepted as part of applications?
A: Supporting materials are not permitted for this funding call and any additional documentation sent will not be considered. Applicants will be marked solely on their submitted application forms.
Q: For larger organisations, should all sources of 2026 funding be listed in Section 3?
A: In this case, only sources of funding relevant to the initiative or project seeking funding should be listed.