Kildare PPN CLG is recruiting a Resource Worker to help lead the development of the Kildare Public Participation Network and support community participation across the county.

We’re looking for someone who is self‑motivated, great at communication and facilitation, experienced in project coordination, and able to build strong working relationships. A full driving licence and access to a car are essential. Volunteer experience is a bonus.

Deadline for applications: Wed 22nd April 2026 at 5pm 

Please note: The Kildare PPN office will be closed from the 30th of April to the 8th of May inclusive. 

We will reopen on Monday the 11th of May. 

Thank you for your understanding. 

An online only self-paced training videos programme for Kildare PPN members has been developed by Social Justice Ireland. This is online only and is intended for self-directed learning at the learner’s own pace. Social Justice Ireland will provide some support via the webform on each Module page. There are no scheduled classes as part of this training. The online only training covers the following:

Applications are invited from community safety initiatives as well as groups co-funded with local authorities, NGOs and community organisations working on issues relevant to community safety and youth justice.

Grants range between €20,000 – €150,000.

Applications close on Monday 18 May at 5pm.

A webinar to support organisations in preparing their applications will be held on Tuesday 21 April at 11am. Click here to register.

The next round of the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) is expected to open later this spring, with national guidance indicating that preparations for the 2026 cycle are already underway. While the exact launch date has not yet been confirmed, groups are encouraged to begin getting ready now so they can move quickly once the window opens.

What groups can do now

The DAF Sustaining Social Enterprise Scheme is now Open for Eligibility checks until 15 May 2026 at 2pm.

The DAF Sustaining Social Enterprise Scheme  supports established social enterprises to grow their traded income and become more financially self-sufficient. 

Lidl’s Ireland is giving away €100,000 in funding to community sustainability projects. 

The Lidl Green Fund is designed to promote, support, and empower local sustainability community projects across Ireland to help communities actively champion sustainable living and protect the planet.

Charities, primary and secondary schools, and community groups from every county can now apply with top award of €25,000 up for grabs and a further €75,000 allocated to a number of smaller projects.

The application deadline is 18 May 2026.

The purpose of the Human Rights and Equality Grants Scheme is to support projects by civil society and trade unions that promote human rights and equality. A total of €350,000 is available to fund small projects up to €7,000 and general projects up to €22,000. The Human Rights and Equality Grants Scheme 2026-27 themes are informed by the Commission’s strategic priorities set out in its Strategy Statement 2025-27.

To be eligible, a civil society organisation must be not-for-profit and registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) and/or as a Charity.

National Information Day for the LIFE Programme 2026, which will take place on Tuesday, 12 May 2026 at the Tullamore Court Hotel.

This will be a hybrid event (in-person and online) and will be fully recorded for those unable to attend live. Further details, including the exact programme and online connection links, will be circulated in the coming weeks.

In-person attendance is limited by venue capacity. Please only register for the in-person option if you fully intend to attend.

The 2026 Arts and Minds Festival takes place from 7-9 May in Maynooth University and in locations in Maynooth town.

This year our programme features choirs from Straffan, Kilcock, Navan and Enfield; Scoil Uí Riada in Kilcock will be performing a sean nós/set dance, and Leixlip Community Youth Band will be performing the lunchtime concert on Saturday 9th.  Headline events include The Blindboy Live Podcast Show, an anniversary concert by MU Chamber Choir in St Patrick’s College Chapel, and A Night at the Aula with Mundy. The Literary Lounge and Irish-language events feature prominently and there are family-friendly events too.

On Thursday, 23 April, the Irish Energy Poverty Observatory (IREPO)is hosting a free online briefing for charities and community groups on the causes of energy poverty, how it is measured, its impact and the realities behind the statistics. 

This webinar will include contributions from Dr Fabio Silva,  a Senior Researcher in the International Energy Research Centre (IERC), part of the Tyndall National Institute, and the University College Cork (UCC), Clare O’Connor, who leads Friends of the Earth Ireland’s work on energy efficiency, decarbonisation of heat and energy poverty and Dr. Dewi Dimyati-Vliexs is an EU Section Lead at the South East Energy Agency. 

BnM will host two Community Information Sessions to give residents an opportunity to meet the Project Team and discuss both the wind farm proposal and the associated grid connection.

Information Session Details

Monday 18 May 2026, 5pm–8.30pm Scoil an Linbh Íosa, Prosperous, W91 DT10

Wednesday 20 May 2026, 5pm–8.30pm Allenwood GAA Club, Seán Tierney Park, Allenwood North, W91 AK02

Community members are encouraged to attend and engage with the project team.

EirGrid has launched its 2026 GAA Community Heroes Campaign, which celebrates the volunteers who make a big difference in their local clubs and communities.

This year, more people will be recognised, with four provincial winners and four honourable mentions chosen before an overall national winner is selected. Provincial winners’ clubs will receive €5,000, honourable mentions €1,500, and the national winner’s club will get a total of €10,000. EirGrid, which operates Ireland’s electricity grid and supports the move to cleaner energy, is now inviting GAA supporters to nominate a volunteer who goes above and beyond for their club and community.

The Paint Reuse Network is excited to bring back the Colour to Communities Giveaway, offering communities across Ireland the chance to win up to 50 litres of high-quality, reused paint to brighten their local spaces.

The competition is open to schools, charities, social enterprises, and community groups with creative ideas to give their areas a fresh, vibrant look while promoting sustainability. Three winners – two from each of Ireland’s National Waste Regions – will receive up to 50 litres of free water-based paint to bring their projects to life.

How to Enter
Submit a short description of your proposed community painting project by 15 May 2026. Winners will be announced by the end of May!

The awards recognise and celebrate local climate action, biodiversity promotion, environmental protection and sustainability initiatives taking place across the Maynooth DZ community. 

Winners will receive a certificate, which will be presented at Picnic in the Park in Harbour Field, Maynooth on Sunday, 21 June.  In addition, a tree will be dedicated to each winner in recognition of their contribution. 

Who can apply? 

The Get SunSmart! Children’s Art Competition is back! Healthy Ireland in collaboration with the HSE are calling on all pre-school & primary school children, depending on their age category to either colour-in our SunSmart images or draw their own SunSmart Superhero Squad. 

The Working with Nature Awards recognise individuals, community groups and organisations across Ireland who are actively protecting, restoring and reconnecting people with nature.

Now in its second year, the Awards celebrate impactful work across three categories: 1. Biodiversity & Rewilding, 2.Nature Media, and 3.Nature Education & Wellbeing.

Open to projects of all sizes, the Awards aim to highlight real, on-the-ground action while providing a platform to share stories that inspire wider change.

Nominations are now open until 25 May, with the Awards Ceremony taking place on 2 July at Powerscourt Estate.

The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation has begun a consultation and testing phase to support the development of a national Digital Wallet, planned for introduction by the end of 2026 under the EU’s eIDAS 2 Regulation.

If you would like to share any views or concerns you may have with the Government Digital Wallet, please click on the button below and fill out our short survey form.

More Public Consultations 

Community and Culture, Level 7, Áras Chill Dara, Naas, Co. Kildare

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