Local Enhancement Programme 2026

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Local Enhancement Programme 2026 (LEP 2026)

Applications are now invited from Community and Voluntary groups in County Wexford for funding from the

Local Enhancement Programme 2026.

LEP 2026 Application Form to print and review available below 

NOTE: an online Application Form version will be available here soon

LEP 2026 Application Closing Date 27th February 2026 at 17:00hrs

As announced by the Minister for the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD (11/12/25), a new €7 million Local Enhancement Programme has been launched to support small community groups across Ireland in 2026.

The funding will provide capital assistance for local organisations, with a focus on disadvantaged rural and urban areas. Eligible groups will be able to apply for support with facility upgrades, accessibility improvements, energy-efficiency measures and essential equipment.

The programme will be delivered through Local Community Development Committees nationwide. It forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen local infrastructure and encourage community participation, particularly among marginalised and under-represented groups.

Programme Highlights:

  • €253,227.56 for Capital Funding to assist community groups across County Wexford
  • The Local Enhancement Programme 2026 will support Capital Projects ONLY. Group current operational running and maintenance costs are not eligible for the LEP 2026.

  • Funding awards capped at maximum €5,000.00 per project, subject to demand.

  • Successful applications at maximum €5,000.00 will be fully funded.

  • 30% // €75,968.26 of entire funding ringfenced for small capital grants <€1,000.00 (per DRCDG criteria)

  • Local Enhancement Programme to focus on disadvantaged areas

  • Fund budgets to be dispersed by percentage of population of Municipal Districts in County Wexford per CSO Census of Population 2022

  • Project selection then prioritised in those Municipal Districts by the following tiered categories, as defined by POBAL Deprivation Index/LECP target areas, 

(1) Extremely Disadvantaged (score below -30)

(2) Very Disadvantaged (-20 to -30)

(3) Disadvantaged (-10 to -20)

(4) Marginally Below Average (0 to -10)

(5) Marginally Above Average (0 to +10)

Apply Here 

(Online application form to be released soon)

Click here to download application form for print

Please include any supporting documentation required, along with your application by email or post

 

Return e-copy applications to Community Development at Wexford County Council,

community@wexfordcoco.ie

Subject Ref: LEP 2026

OR

 

by post

‘LEP 2026 Applications’

C/O Community Development

Wexford County Council

County Hall

Carricklawn

Wexford

Y35 WY93

 

LEP 2026 Application Closing Date 27th February 2026 at 17:00hrs

The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG), and administered by Wexford County Council (WCC), on behalf of Wexford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). Please see the following link for a press release from when the funds were announced by the DRCDG.