Waterford groups urged to seek funding for projects under Community Heritage Grant Scheme

The Heritage Council’s Community Heritage Grant Scheme is now open and applications are being sought from voluntary or community groups and not for profit non-governmental organisations in Waterford.

In 2024, the scheme funded the restoration of two paintings at Waterford County Museum and it allowed the Museum to purchase archival materials for museum storage.

Clashmore Tidy Towns Association also received funding last year which was used to invest in exhibition display cases.

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Under the 2025 scheme, a broad range of project types are eligible for funding including:

* Conservation works to collections, objects or places, including natural heritage projects e.g. control of invasive species or habitat restoration works; conservation works to buildings, including churches; stabilisation works to ruined structures

* Surveys, reports, plans, and audits to inform the future management of buildings and monuments, habitats, collections, or objects.

* Accessibility projects that make heritage activities more accessible for people with disabilities e.g. building ramps, automatic doors, handrails, tactile interpretation

* Projects that help people engage more with their heritage e.g. interactive maps, videos, virtual exhibitions, podcasts, websites

* Purchase of specialised equipment e.g archival boxing for vulnerable documents, monitoring equipment for humidity or light, interpretation/multimedia equipment, specialised software

* Projects that address the heritage of minority groups e.g an oral history project documenting Traveller heritage

* Training in traditional skills and crafts e.g. workshops on skills such as roofing, thatch, dry stone walling etc.Citizen science projects on environmental conservation

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According to Waterford City and County Council, the minimum grant that can be requested is €500 while the maximum is €25,000.

A full overview of eligibility criteria and other relevant details are available from the Heritage Council’s website.

The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, March 14 at 11pm. Applications must be made via the Heritage Council’s online grants management system.

Funded projects must be completed by November 14, 2025.