Community Benefit Funds Grant

About this grant

The Community Benefit Fund (CBF) is a mandatory feature of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and the Offshore RESS (ORESS). All renewable electricity generation projects participating in these schemes must establish a Community Benefit Fund for the wider economic, environmental, social and cultural wellbeing of the local community. The contribution is set at EUR 2 per megawatt hour of generation, which SEAI says will deliver approximately EUR 4.5 million a year under RESS-1 to community initiatives near RESS-1 projects. The fund is designed to incentivise investment in local renewable energy, energy efficiency measures and climate action. Funds may support not-for-profit community enterprises whose focus aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. For onshore wind farms, a near-neighbour payment to residents living 1km or 1km to 2km from the project may also be paid through the fund. Examples of funded initiatives include scholarships, community centres, energy upgrades in sports clubs and community centres, education programmes and disability access projects. The page describes a funding cycle in which the project generates energy for 12 months, funds are transferred to the CBF, the CBF invites applications, funding is awarded, and the CBF reports annually to SEAI. SEAI also operates a National Register where projects and their funds must register and log report data, and publishes fund strategy guidance and case studies. Detailed rules are set out in the Rulebook for Community Benefit Funds under RESS and the ORESS Community Benefit Fund Rulebook.

Eligibility

Community Benefit Funds are established by RESS and ORESS renewable generation projects, so the fund holders are the generators rather than general applicants. The fund itself supports not-for-profit community enterprises whose focus aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Projects must be registered on the SEAI Community Benefit Fund National Register. The page does not specify further applicant eligibility details, which are covered in the external rulebooks.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be a community-based organisation or eligible body in Ireland (to be confirmed against the SEAI call)
• ✓Project should relate to renewable energy or energy efficiency benefiting the local community (to be confirmed)
• ✓Check SEAI published terms for deadline, funding limits and eligible costs

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Community Benefit Funds?

Eligibility covers organisations in IE; community-group, charity, nonprofit, local-authority. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Renewable energy funding covers solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and bioenergy, from early research to grid-scale deployment. Public money tends to back demonstration, grid connection and access to energy in emerging markets, while procurement notices buy installation, operation and maintenance. Calls often ask for proof of resource assessment, permitting progress and local partners.