How to Apply

Limerick Going for Gold Environmental Improvement Grant & Competition 2026.

Going For Gold application form

Who can apply?

This grant scheme is open to local groups who wish to improve biodiversity, litter management, pollinator friendly planting and other environmental works. Local groups include: Residents Associations, Action Groups, Tidy Town Groups, Community Associations and other voluntary groups within Limerick City & County areas.

This grant scheme aims to assist with Environmental and Climate Action Improvement works undertaken by non-profit making organisations working within Limerick City and County areas.

How to apply:

Limerick City & County Council invites applications for the Limerick Going for Gold Environmental Improvement Grant & Competition 2026.

Application form is available here:

Applicants must complete Limerick Going for Gold application form and submit same by 12pm on Friday, 27th March 2026. For more information, please email limerickgoingforgold@limerick.ie or go to the Council website: www.limerick.ie/council

Alternatively, please contact: Customer Services, Limerick City & County Council, tel. 061 556 000

Email: customerservices@limerick.ie

Additional Notes:

The judging panel will consider number of aspects when adjudicating applicants in all of the categories and the following criteria will be included, but are not exhaustive:

  1. Litter management and general absence of litter from the areas including approach roads
  2. Focus on biodiversity, nature, wildlife features & pollinator friendly planting (artificial flowers/plants are not eligible). Wildflower seed packs from supermarkets etc should be kept for use in private gardens. If planting grass seeds, please ensure a higher percentage of clovers and daisies, which will benefit wildlife
  3. Vegetable planting focus rather than bedding plants. Please do not place planters on grass/green areas. Native Trees and other plants should be planted directly into the ground
  4. These funds should not be used for the purchase of weed killer, bedding plants, skip hire, artificial flowers/plants
  5. Sustainability, focus on circular economy (repair, reuse, recycle), use of recycled materials, waste reduction & Community involvement
  6. Homemade compost should be used if possible, please check if any resident in your area can supply it to the project as an alternative to moss peat. Please note, free mulch is available from the Recycle Centres in Mungret, Kilmallock and Newcastle West
  7. If you are planting Hydrangeas, please ensure they are a variety that attract pollinators beneficial for wild bees and pollinating insects. Please see ‘Useful Links’ below for more information
  8. Community Youth Involvement - young volunteers involvement, innovative ideas and visions allowing them to shape the community, including youth work in partnership with the Community in order to strengthen the community and make it resilient and sustainable
  9. Please take the valuable advice from previous Tidy Town’s seminars
  10. Support of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s – please see ‘Useful Links’ below for more information. These Goals reflect economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, which are aligned with Limerick Going for Gold ethos
  11. Works for which Limerick Going for Gold Environment Grant Aid was provided
  12. Appropriate planting schemes – native trees, pollinators, perennials etc
  13. Additional works undertaken since previous year if applicable
  14. Features of approach roads to area, village or town
  15. Application form received
  16. Any other aspects that the judges may consider relevant
  17. Live 95 interviews and text voting applicable to Tidy Towns category only

Please note, Limerick Going for Gold 2026 adjudication will take place in August 2026.

Only ONE application per group will be accepted.

Additional information may be requested at any stage of the processing, assessment and/or judging stages. This may include before and after photographs.

Short listing of applications may be required in some or all categories of the competition. Judges decisions are final.

Closing Date for the receipt of completed application forms is Friday, 27th March, 2026 by 12pm.

Useful links:

Information re composting go to: https://mywaste.ie/sustainability/food-waste/home-composting/ 

Information re Pollinators go to: All-Ireland Pollinator Plan » All-Ireland Pollinator Plan

Guidelines: https://pollinators.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/AIPP-A5-Community-guidelines-2023-WEB.pdf 

Limerick Biodiversity Action Plan 2025 - 2030: https://www.limerick.ie/council/services/environment-and-climate-action/limerick-biodiversity-action-plan/limerick 

Tidy Towns information: https://www.limerick.ie/council/services/environment-and-climate-action/clean-community/national-tidy-towns-competition-0 

Limerick Tree Policy 2024 - 2030: https://www.limerick.ie/council/services/environment-and-climate-action/tree-policy/tree-policy-for-limerick 

Website to record your newly planted trees: https://trees.limerick.ie/ 

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s): https://sdgs.un.org/goals