Leitrim organisations awarded funding for EU Presidency Projects
Leitrim and Sligo community groups and local authorities are to receive almost €30,000 under the County Pairings Programme ahead of Ireland’s EU Presidency.
Almost €30,000 in funding has been announced for community groups in Leitrim and Sligo to participate in the County Pairings Programme.
The initiative, announced in January, aims to engage communities across the country in Ireland’s European relationships during the upcoming Irish EU Presidency.
During the Presidency term, which runs from July to December 2026, Ambassadors from EU Member States in Ireland, accompanied by the Irish Ambassador in the relevant EU Member State capital, will visit counties across Ireland as part of a programme of public engagements focused on Ireland’s European relations and its role within the European Union.
Each county in the State will be ‘paired’ with a specific EU Member State for the duration of the Presidency.
Leitrim is ‘paired’ with Cyprus, while Sligo is ‘paired’ with Lithuania. A total of €775,000 has been allocated to give more organisations the opportunity to participate in the lead-up to Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The funding awarded in Leitrim includes €5,000 for Bee Park Community Sports Hub in Manorhamilton, €5,000 for Leitrim Development Company, and €10,000 for Leitrim County Council.
In Sligo, Sligo County Council is set to receive €5,000, while Sligo County Library has been awarded €4,892.
This year’s funding allocation includes €465,000 for community projects and €310,000 for programmes by Local Authorities supporting the County Pairings Programme.
The focus of this year’s projects is Ireland’s 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union, along with the related County Pairings Programme.
In total, 84 applications from civil society and voluntary organisations were approved, alongside 28 applications from Local Authorities.