Coimisiún na Meán has today (08.10.2026) announced awarding of €840,000 in funding offers to community media broadcasters under its new Community Media Scheme.
The Scheme aims to support a sustainable, inclusive and participative community media sector that delivers social benefit for communities across Ireland. The successful applicants focused on furthering Community Media’s Social Benefit contribution through capacity building projects and activities focusing on station outreach and governance, administrative/fundraising support, and training for boards and volunteers.
Speaking about the announcement today, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, Rónán Ó Domhnaill said: “Coimisiún na Meán is dedicated to the development of a media landscape that is sustainable, pluralistic and participative and we are delighted to be able to award this funding to our Community Broadcasters who play an important role at the heart of the communities they serve. The funding recommended will support the sector by strengthening organisational and operational capacity, enhancing skills development through training, enabling Community Media organisations to better serve diverse audiences, promote social inclusion, and foster active citizenship. I would also like to acknowledge the support of Minister Patrick O’Donovan and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport in providing the funding for this scheme.”
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD said: “Community radio and television stations are largely volunteer-led organisations that are run by dedicated people who help keep people connected to their communities. Community development is an important goal. Coimisiún na Meán has designed a practical and future-focused scheme and I look forward to hearing more about the projects when they come to fruition.”
A diverse range of projects were approved for funding under the Community Media Funding Scheme including:
- A community radio station in the West of Ireland will deliver a tailored and professionally supported work placement programme for disabled people and will engage with its community through an Irish language training project based on the area’s local folklore.
- Another station will receive support for a project aimed at reducing its administrative burden and strengthening its governance and fundraising, addressing some of the challenges facing volunteer-led stations.
- A community radio station will promote the use of the Irish language and significantly expand its outreach work to include young people in primary and secondary schools along with universities and community groups.
- A Dublin station will be supported to deliver accredited QQI training, increasing community confidence and engagement and further enabling volunteer development including a public Community Open Day.
The establishment of a Community Media Scheme was a recommendation of the Report of the Future of Media Commission, published in 2022.