Applications for the 2026 Community Safety Fund Now Open

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, has opened this year’s nationwide funding call for applications to the 2026 Community Safety Fund (CSF).

First opened in 2022, this annual fund allows for the proceeds of crime, seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda Síochána, to be redirected into local projects that support and enhance community safety.

This year’s fund, totalling €4.75 million, is a significant increase since the initial allocation of €2 million in 2022.

Minister O’Callaghan said:

“I am extremely pleased to open the funding call for the Community Safety Fund 2026. The Fund redirects the criminal assets seized by CAB and the Gardaí back into the communities that these criminals seek to profit from. By funding projects through the CSF, we o can improve safety in communities across the country.

It is also important to recognise that community safety is not just about policing, it is a wider effort that involves the whole community. The fund supports innovative projects that can reduce the fear of crime, improve community safety and decrease reoffending."

Applications will be open from 13 April until 5pm on 18 May 2026.

The Community Safety Fund is managed by the National Office of Community Safety, an office of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

Minister O’Callaghan added:

“This year’s increased funding is a recognition of the ongoing excellent work of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in disrupting criminality and seizing criminal assets.

The Fund is a critical element in supporting an approach to community safety that is broader than policing and recognises the importance of community participation and knowledge in identifying solutions to issues in their area. I encourage eligible groups who have a proposal to support and enhance safety in their area to apply.”

The Community Safety Fund:

• Allows proceeds of crime to be directed into projects to support and enhance community safety
• Ensures that the most appropriate proposals to improve community safety will access the funding they need
• Allows best practice on community safety and youth justice to be shared with other partnerships and communities nationally as new proposals are developed
• Benefits from the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing the proceeds of criminal activity

Projects that previously benefited from the fund included initiatives that:

• Reduce the fear of crime, improve community safety and feelings of safety
• Support the creation of safe and resilient communities
• Reduce reoffending
• Divert vulnerable individuals away from engagement in criminal behaviour.

Since the Fund launched in 2022, a total of 127 projects have received funding nationally.

For information on how to apply, visit www.gov.ie/communitysafety