Applications Open for the Communicating Europe Initiative 2026
This initiative provides funding to voluntary organisations, educational bodies and civil society groups for projects intended to deepen public awareness of the role that the European Union plays in our daily lives.
The Communicating Europe Initiative seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues, at local, regional or national level.
The focus of projects this year is on Ireland's 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union as well as the related County Pairings programme. This pairs counties with an EU Member State, encouraging communities across the country to engage directly with their European partners throughout the Presidency term.
Funding 2026
Increased funding has been allocated to the initiative for 2026, with a total of €775,000 available for eligible projects. From this, an allocation of €465,000 will be available to support community-led projects, and €310,000 for programmes by local authorities who wish to support the County Pairings Programme.
Further information at EU Presidency County Pairings announced by Ministers McEntee and Byrne.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 24 March.
It is envisaged that the maximum individual grant awarded will be in the order of €10,000.
Purpose of funding
Projects should deepen public awareness of the role that the European Union plays in our daily lives, and improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues, at local, regional or national level.
Information on applying
Guidelines, terms and application forms for 2026 funding.
To submit your application and all other relevant documents please note that we are using a grants management platform.
Please register your organisation on the grant application portal at funding.dfa.ie.