Clean Coasts Grant Scheme 2026 

Terms and Conditions 

 

These guidelines are essential for understanding how Clean Coasts Grants financial support can be utilised for the projects and activities of Clean Coasts Groups. 

What grants are available? 

Registered Clean Coasts groups who have been active for at least 6 months can apply for grants of up to €500. Please find some examples of what a grant can be used for below: 

Signage:  A group could apply for any necessary signage for their adopted beach. The design of the sign would be completed in collaboration with Clean Coasts and retain the Clean Coasts logo. Prior to the development of any signage, a discussion would need to be completed with the local authority about relevance, design and placement -Clean Coasts staff can assist with this step. 
Administration:  Postage, stationary, website maintenance 
Infrastructure:   Benches, barbeque areas, showers, changing rooms 
Tools:  Spades, saws, forks, rakes, wheelbarrows 
Other Equipment:  Protective boots, rubber gloves, waterproofs, antiseptic hand-wipes and first aid kits. 
Collective Volunteer Expenses:  Vehicle hire, insurance and membership of networking organisations. 
Awareness Raising  Posters, competitions, venue hire, leaflet production and display materials. 
Project Expenses / Materials:  Skip hire, sand, stone, wood, benches, signs, noticeboards, native trees, shrubs/bulbs (All planting projects need to be discussed with the Clean Coasts Biodiversity Officer/ Local Authority before decisions are made),  
Insurance:  Clean Coasts groups are covered under third party public liability insurance as long as they adhere to our clean up guidelines. If a group would prefer to seek further cover, you can apply for a grant towards this. 
Ineligible Items:  Please note personal expenses cannot be claimed.  

 

Applying for a Grant: 

To ensure your application is processed smoothly, please consider the following steps: 

  1. Consultation with Clean Coasts Coastal Programme Officer: Before proceeding with your application, it’s highly recommended that you discuss your project proposal with your local Clean Coasts Officer. This step will help clarify any questions or concerns you may have and ensure that your application aligns with the goals of the Clean Coasts program. 
  2. Application Submission: You have two options for submitting your application: 
  3. Fill in the online form available on the Clean Coasts website. 
  4. Download the application form and submit it via email to cleancoasts@eeu.antaisce.org. 
  5. Quote Submission: All applications requesting under €500 require one quote and any applications requesting above €500 will require three quotes. Please ensure that you include quotes/pricing for identified items as part of your application. These can also be emailed to cleancoasts@eeu.antaisce.org. with the subject line: Group Name_Grant Application 2026 
  6. Bank Account: Any group applying for a grant must have a separate bank account. Grants cannot be paid into an individual’s account. 
  7. Submission Deadline: Please note that all applications, along with accompanying quotes/pricing for identified items, must be submitted by Friday 27th of March 2026. This deadline is crucial for the timely processing of applications. 

Evaluation and Payment of Grants: 

  1. Evaluation by Clean Coasts Grants Jury: Upon receiving all applications, the Clean Coasts Grants Jury will carefully review and evaluate each submission. Decisions regarding approved applications will be made by the jury. 
  2. Notification of Application Status: Clean Coasts staff will notify you of the status of your application within two weeks of the application closing deadline. You will be informed whether your application has been successful or not. 
  3. Grant Disbursement: Upon approval of Clean Coasts Grant applications, grants will be disbursed via cheque or bank transfer. Payments will be made out to a community group bank account only. Please note that payments cannot be made into an individual volunteer account. 
  4. Feedback Submission: All groups who receive a Clean Coasts grant will be asked to fill in a feedback form and provide photos and details on how the grant was utilised.  
  5. These forms are an essential part of the process and must be returned within one month of using your Clean Coasts grant and no later than 2nd October 2026.   

Groups who do not fill in this form will not be considered for future grants. 

 

Summary of General Conditions of Grant Awards 

  1. Registered Clean Coasts groups can apply for grants up to €500. For grants exceeding €500, application will need to be discussed with your regional development officer in advance, and three quotes are required before any approvals will be made. 
  2. Grant recipient must be a Registered Clean Coasts group. 
  3. Groups must be active for at least 6 months to be eligible. 
  4. Only one application per organisation/group is allowed. 
  5. Groups must have a bank account for grant payment. 
  6. Only detailed applications will be considered. 
  7. Grants cover actual expenditure; overpayment may be recovered. 
  8. All applications receive acknowledgment via email. 
  9. Clean Coasts holds no obligation for renewal of financial support. 
  10. Receipts must be signed off by a group representative. 
  11. If the group ceases operation within 3 months of grant payment -Unspent funds must be returned to Clean Coasts 
  12. Equipment must be used for approved purposes and remain exclusive to the group. 
  13. Late applications will not be accepted. 
  14. Application deadline is Friday 27th of March 2026.  
  15. Grant recipients are obligated to fill in a feedback form and submit photos where possible after grants process is completed. 

 

Kindly ensure compliance with these conditions when applying for the Clean Coasts grant.  

Should you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Please be aware that An Taisce reserves the right to retract the grant offer or request repayment of all or part of the funds disbursed if the conditions are not met.  

By accepting the grant, the Clean Coasts group acknowledges the obligation to repay accordingly.  

An Taisce also retains the right to withhold the grant at its discretion.