Community grant project criteria and funding
A high level overview of the requirements for a successful community funding application and project.
Partnership and timeframes
Partnership
Partnership is essential for a successful application. Project coordinators should seek partnership from organisations that fall into the eligible categories.
- Commercial
- Public sector
- Domestic
- Community and not-for-profit
These partnerships can be assisted by SEAI if required.
Innovative and pioneering partnerships between sectors are encouraged. This might include collaborations between public and private sectors, residential and non-residential sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations, or financing entities and energy suppliers. Projects that are part of a larger energy efficiency project or that engage with other SEAI programmes are welcome.
Timeframe
Project coordinators can apply for the programme throughout the year through a competitive process. SEAI review applications and award funding to projects which will be supported under the scheme for the 12 months. Applicants should wait to receive the 'Letter of Offer' before they commence any works. Applicants have 12 months to complete the project.
Application Cycle
To be considered for approval in the following month's application cycle, applications must adhere to the following deadlines:
Please note:
- Late submissions will roll over to the next approval cycle.
- Please ensure all documentation is complete to avoid delays.
| CEG Application | MUD Application | Domestic Application |
|---|---|---|
| 15th of the month | 22nd of the month | 29th of the Month |
How we evaluate projects
Value for money
- Value to the Irish State
- Energy savings achieved
- Calculation methodology
Quality and delivery
- Delivery commitment
- Robust project planning
- Submission and project quality
- Procurement process
Community and partnership
- Community empowerment
- Knowledge transfer
- Energy savings road map
Innovation
- Technical
- Delivery
- Financial
How to apply
- We are open for applications all year. Only a project coordinator can apply.
- Before making your online application, please ensure you familiarise yourself with our application process.
- If you are a homeowner, business owner, local authority or belong to a community group or charitable organisation, please contact a project coordinator in your area and discuss your options for getting involved.
Standards and requirements
In order to secure funding, we require that each project follows the standards and requirements outlined below.
- Prescribed standards - SEAI Contractor Code of Practice and Building Regulations
- All contractors should be registered with SEAI (where applicable)
- Optimal solution must be implemented
- All domestic buildings completed must deliver a minimum BER uplift of 100 kWh/m²/yr.
- 10 pre BER's are required at application stage
- A pre BER and post BER should be published for all homes, this will be supported under BEC
- Please note if a Pre BER is older than five years, a new Pre BER will be required to be published. Please retain the published BER Certificate, Advisory Report and Dwelling Report associated with the Pre BER publication.
Grant tracker
Track the community grant funding available, under evaluation and committed for the current year.
View grant trackerLinks for Project Coordinators
Request 50% Approval
To request approval for 50% for Non-Domestic community buildings please complete the below form.
Specification Change
To submit a specification change, please complete the below form.
Inspection Declaration
To submit a site for inspection, please complete the below form.
Payment Request
To submit a payment request, please complete the below form.
Application downloads
- CEG Guidelines 2024
- CEG Terms and Conditions Addendum for DCB Scheme
- BEC Financial Documentation
- Schedule A -Beneficiary Acceptance of Grant Offer
- Communities Form B
- Communities Technical Workbook 2025 V10
- Communities Technical Workbook Domestic Only 2025 V3
- Communities Domestic Inspection Request Log
- Communities Workshop Energy Audits
- Communities Payment Request Form
- SEAI Energy Audit Handbook
- ACA Declaration
- Assessor Declaration of Independence
- Domestic Reworks Declaration
- Project Completion Report
- Client Organisation Declaration
- Schedule F - Beneficiary Confirmation of Grant Receipt
- Data Consent Form
- NZEB and Major Renovation
- SEC Letter of Support
- Communities Privacy Notice
- Design Standards Certification for Non-Domestic Measures_2022
- Domestic Design Certification 2022
- SEAI M&V Report Guidance
- SEAI M&V Report Template
Project coordinator updates
Meeting in Athlone 2nd of May 2024
Below are the presentations from the meeting held on the 2nd of May 2024, in Athlone.
Net Present Value Calculator
For your convenience, we have added a template that you can download and use