Coimisiún na Meán has today (20.06.25) announced the awarding of almost €750,000 to 19 community radio and television stations in the most recent round of the Sound & Vision scheme.
This round aims to assist organisations and projects that provide a social benefit – through programming, training and education initiatives, and employment opportunities – to local communities and communities of interest around Ireland.
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Commissioner for Media Development said: “Coimisiún na Meán is committed to supporting a thriving, diverse, creative, safe and trusted media sector. We are delighted to be able to provide social benefit funding for community broadcasters in this round of Sound & Vision. Community media groups are a hugely important and growing part of the media landscape in Ireland and are deeply rooted in democratic, empowering and participative traditions.
“Active participation and representation in community media assists in creating more diverse broadcast content. It also encourages more robust community engagement and provides members of communities, especially minorities and the marginalised, with opportunities to develop new skills, grow in confidence, and reinforce a sense of belonging.”
Many of the successful applications provide opportunities for volunteers, staff, and the wider community to develop and learn new skills. These opportunities come in the form of officially accredited courses, shadowing, placements, and workshops.
Several of the successful applicants focused on diversity and new communities, while others included measures to promote the Irish language and culture. Overall, the applications demonstrated that community broadcasters are increasingly aware of the importance of gender balance and are striving to improve in this regard in their teams and on the air.
Here are some examples of successful applicants:
- Athlone Community Radio plans to produce a comprehensive community directory featuring 240 ten-minute programmes with local groups and clubs. Each segment will highlight a different group, explain what they do, and how people can get involved. This will promote visibility, accessibility, and participation across a wide spectrum of community organisations.
- Castlebar Community Radio will use the funding to celebrate 30 years on air by producing a vibrant mix of programming, including live music performances and sports documentaries. The station will also deliver training for staff and volunteers, enhancing skills and fostering community engagement. They will collaborate with diverse local groups, prioritising social inclusion and providing a platform for voices that are often unheard.
- Claremorris Community Radio aims to deepen community participation, access, and local ownership through its ‘Voices of Claremorris’ project. This initiative features five diverse activities designed to enrich the station’s current programming and strengthen its role as a platform for community expression and engagement.
- Cork Community TV will collaborate with local community education providers to explore and develop educational programming grounded in the principles of community education. As part of this initiative, the station will produce a pilot programme in partnership with Gael-Taca and An Grúpa Forbartha Gaeilge, aimed at encouraging the use of the Irish language and promoting cultural engagement.
- DCTV will produce twenty, 30-minute programmes and online content in collaboration with community groups from Dublin City Council’s Public Participation Network. The project will provide participants with training and development opportunities in content production with the aim of enhancing their skills to make content about themselves in the future.
- Near FM has been awarded funding to expand its community-focused work in training, production, outreach, and providing work experience. Building on a proven model, the station will foster creativity and connection through structured engagement, including the ongoing series Candid Conversations, which features members of the African diaspora sharing their experiences in Ireland.
- Phoenix FM will deliver social benefit through an inclusive, hands-on training programme, expanding on work developed with its flagship show, D15 Today. The initiative will boost community participation through outreach, training, and supported broadcasting by engaging underrepresented groups and giving voice to the diverse communities of Dublin.
- Raidió na Life sought funding to support a part-time Cúntóir Forbartha (Development Assistant) to work alongside the station’s current Oifigeach Forbartha & Oiliúna (Development & Training Officer). This role will support volunteer training through Irish and contribute to the development of Irish-language programming such as Beo Beoga and Abair Leat which will benefit the Irish-speaking community.
- Ros FM will produce over 500 hours of content across nine distinct programming strands; each designed to amplify underrepresented voices and deliver meaningful social benefit. Funding for a part-time Development Officer will enhance community outreach and support volunteer recruitment.
- Youghal Community Radio will bring radio production into the community through structured engagement with schools, residential centres, and work experience programmes. Four dedicated projects will promote social inclusion and cohesion, strengthen partnerships and deepen the station’s impact across the community.