Sports Capital & Equipment Programme 2023 announced with increased thresholds for local and regional projects
Specific focus on climate action, sustainability and gender equality
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D., and the Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne T.D., have announced that a new round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) will open for new applications from 17 July.
The SCEP is the Government’s primary vehicle for providing support to sports clubs and communities to develop sports infrastructure around the country. Applicants for local projects can now apply for up to €200,000, increased from the previous maximum grant of €150,000. The maximum valid grant available for projects deemed to be of regional significance has been increased from €300,000 to €500,000.
In addition, this year’s SCEP “Guide to Making an Application” has a focus on climate action and sustainability for the first time, supporting local clubs to take steps to reduce their energy consumption and applying for more efficient lighting. For the first time in the history of the SCEP, projects will only be considered for grant support if access is guaranteed to men and women on equal terms. As one of the stated objectives of the Programme is to increase female participation, all applications for funding of women-only facilities will be deemed valid for consideration.
Minister Martin said: “This is excellent news for sports organisations that have plans to improve their facilities and wish to avail of support. The Programme has already made an enormous difference to communities in every part of the country. To encourage as many people to participate in sport and physical activity as possible, we need to have appropriate sports facilities and equipment. The new round of the Programme will again prioritise applications from disadvantaged areas, those that target people with disabilities, and projects that share facilities amongst different organisations and sports. In relation to changes to the scheme, I am very pleased that applications for improvements to swimming pools will be accepted for the first time. I also welcome the fact that, for the first time, the “Guide to Making an Application”, as published today, has a specific focus on climate action and sustainability issues”.
Minister Byrne said: “I have seen at first hand the huge difference that Sports Capital and Equipment Programme grants make to sports clubs and community groups across the country. I am also very aware of the impact that construction inflation has had on our sports clubs and community groups in recent years and I am delighted to note that we are increasing the maximum grants available under the Programme. Ensuring equality in sport has been a particular priority for me since my appointment. Under this round of the Programme, applicants that do not provide access to facilities on similar terms to male and female users will not be eligible for capital funding. As one of the stated objectives of this Programme is to increase female participation, all applications for funding of the very small number of women-only facilities will be deemed valid for consideration. This new requirement is highlighted in the Guide to Making an Application which is available to download on the Department’s website”.
The first step in obtaining a grant is to register on the Department’s online system and the Ministers encouraged any clubs that are not already registered to do so now. Clubs can register at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie
Once registered, all applications must be made on the same website. The system will be open for applications from 17 July to 8 September.
The “Guide to Making an Application” was also published on the Department’s website today and can be found here: gov.ie/sportscapital The Guide essentially sets out the terms and conditions of the Programme. A review of the 2020 round of the Programme was published in May and all of the main recommendations have been included in the Guide.
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme is the Government’s primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. Grants are available to voluntary, not-for profit sports clubs, community groups, National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations.
A detailed list of projects that the programme funds can be found in the “Guide to Making an Application” and includes:
•Natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts (including pitch drainage)
•Energy Efficient Floodlighting
•Artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas
•Security fencing, ball stop netting and goal posts
•Hurling walls / handball alleys
•Building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets
•Building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms
•Non-personal sports equipment.
•Modifications to sports facilities to reduce energy consumption
•Any other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance
Further information about the programme including details of all previous allocations can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/d13385-sports-capital-programme/. The Review of the 2020 Round can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/84105-review-of-sports-capital-and-equipment-programme-2020/
Applications can be made online only from 9am on 17 July until 5pm on 8th September 2023.