The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme 2024 is now open for applications from groups that promote older people’s physical activity across County Westmeath.
A total of eleven groups in 2023 received a share of €3600 for programs and courses aimed at older people in Co. Westmeath.
Funded by Sport Ireland, money is being made available to all eligible local clubs, groups, care settings and organisations across the country that promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people as a main element of their activities.
The Active National Grant Scheme aims to assist in the implementation of locally-developed, well-planned initiatives designed to increase participation in recreational sport and physical activity by older people.
In particular, the The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme is aimed at:
• supporting the work of Age & Opportunity’s Active Programme including the network of PALs (Physical Activity Leaders) and CarePALs, and the development of Go for Life Games and other initiatives; • assisting local clubs/organisations/care settings to enhance existing opportunities for their members in recreational sport and physical activity;
• assisting local clubs/organisations/care settings to start new initiatives geared at involving older people in recreational sport and physical activity;
• encouraging all sports clubs to provide new initiatives within their clubs aimed at getting older people back to their sport;
• assisting those working in care settings (both nursing homes and day care settings) to introduce more initiatives to increase physical activity levels of those in their care.
Who Can Apply?
Grants are available to all eligible local clubs, groups, care settings and organisations that promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people as a main element of their activities.
Umbrella bodies, or their agents, are not eligible for funding under this grant scheme. An exception to this is Local Sports Partnerships who are eligible to apply.
Funding for sports clubs will only be considered if the application specifically relates to older people (aged 50+ years).
Grants are made available for sport or physical activity for older people and the overall club membership of applicants must be such that older people will be the beneficiaries of the grant monies.
Applications Are Open Now
The Age & Opportunity National Grant Scheme is open for applications since Thursday 1st February 2024 and will close at 12pm midday on Friday 1st March 2024.
When submitting the application, Age & Opportunity will need to see a detailed description of the activity or activities and a breakdown of the expected costs that the funds will be put towards.
To apply, each group must have their own bank account and insurance.
How To Apply?
Please read the terms and conditions before you fill in the form so you are aware of the application criteria and who is eligible to apply.
You can now apply for the grant online by clicking here: apply for the grant online.
Another option is to download the form, print it, fill it in and send your application to us: download a copy of the form.
If you are having difficulty with the forms, email us on info@westmeathsports.ie or call 044-9390208 and we will email the forms out to you.
Funds Available
Grants will be between €250 and €700* and may be allocated towards the cost of the eligible initiatives outlined below. *Joint applications or applications from Community Development Programmes (CDPs), Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) etc. that provide wider access to community groups may be allocated funding outside of these limits. Any applicants who receive an allocation of more than €1,000 must provide a tax clearance number/tax exemption form.
More Information
For more information speak to the National Active Programme team.
active@ageandopportunity.ie or log on to their website here