Information for Sligo SICAP 2025 Small Grants for community groups
Community groups and networks in County Sligo are being invited to apply for the SICAP 2025 Small Grants to help contribute towards building a more sustainable, inclusive and empowered community. The SICAP [Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme] Small Grants Fund supports community groups to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion through engagement and collaboration.
In particular, local groups supporting initiatives that prioritise the new thematic focus areas, such as Older People (aged 65+ Years) in Isolation, Refugee and Migrant Rights and Integration, Climate Action and the Just Transition, Addiction, Homelessness, LGBTQI+, Youth, and Gender, and the target groups within the new programme such as Disadvantaged Communities, Traveller Community and People with Disabilities etc are invited to apply. (more details on our website)
A range of actions and supports can be applied for under the grant, including developing community plans, training, social inclusion activities and events.
All expenditure must be vouched and short reports on the actions are required. The process is straight-forward with a short application form and guidance provided.
Eligible grant applications MUST demonstrate how funding will support networks and local community groups address local social inclusion needs; possibly developing activities for the most marginalised. This is essential in the evaluation process.
Applications for grants are available under 3 categories:
- Social Inclusion Initiatives
- Men’s/Women’s Sheds
- Support for Integration-New Communities
Rules: The following rules apply:
- The focus of grant applications must be in line with the social inclusion objectives of the SICAP programme.
- The maximum grant for all categories of SICAP grant applications is €1,500.
- One grant per Community Group/Network per calendar year (2025).
- Grants should not duplicate other sources of local funding by funding the same costs, e.g. from the Local Authority or LEADER
- All grants subject to funding
Some examples of what can be funded.
- Small-scale capital items for social inclusion activities and events
- Community activities that have a clear link to SICAP target groups and SICAP outcomes, and that improve the quality of life for community members.
- Funding to women’s groups, men’s sheds, homework clubs, youth work initiatives, afterschool programmes delivered by Community Group/Networks are eligible if the funding is allocated to a specific activity.
Grants cannot be used to fund the following types of activities:
- Travel and subsistence for employees of other service providers that are a member of boards of management of Community Group/Networks or have a role in projects led by Community Group/Networks.
- Grants to statutory service providers operating breakfast clubs and homework support programmes.
- Funding for on-going running costs incurred by Community Group/Networks, e.g. rent, insurance, electricity, phone costs and office maintenance.
Closing date for Applications: June 30th 2025.
All projects need to be completed by 30th September 2025.
All grants subject to funding.
Download Application Form Here
Email Completed Application Forms to: sicapgrants@sligoleader.com
