Bobby, Author at The Living Bog

2025 Call for applications

A fund of up to €600,000 is being made available to support community-led projects as part of the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme 2025.

Key Dates

The Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme (PNCES), formerly the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme (PCES), operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is now open for applications for 2025 with a closing date of 24 January 2025. This is a competitive fund, with up to €600,000 available in 2025.

Who the scheme is aimed at?

The Scheme aims to encourage communities, local organisations and other interested parties to become involved in the enhancement of their natural surrounding areas and to raise awareness.

Applications are welcomed across a diverse range of initiatives with community benefit from events, education programmes, promotions, publications, exhibitions, development of conservation management plans, public amenity and recreational measures, maintenance measures that support conservation measures, monitoring or surveying work to inform of restoration/conservation projects, invasive species and fire control measures, anti-littering initiatives to local environmental improvements in the area of the designated sites and other peatland areas.

Grant levels

Under the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme, there are two categories of funding available:

Category 1 – Natura 2000 sites (SAC / SPA)

The maximum grant available is 80% of the costs of the project to a maximum of €40,000

Category 2 – Non-Natura Peatland sites (incl. NHA and undesignated sites)

The maximum grant available is 80% of the cost of the project to a maximum of €20,000

How do I apply?

Details of the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme and Application Form needed to apply are available using the links below via the NPWS Website:

Terms and Conditions and Application Form for the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme in English (PDF versions)
Terms and Conditions and Application Form for the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme in Irish (PDF versions)
Protected Areas – What to be aware of if considering works on or near a protected site (PDF)

Circular 13/2014 Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds (PDF version)

Please note that the submission of an application form does not guarantee funding from the Department. Incomplete and late applications will be refused and returned to applicants.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have today published a report exploring the need for increased pan-European collaboration on peatlands restoration, conservation and sustainable management. The report summarises the findings of an exploratory study to discover how a European network could help overcome action and policy barriers for peatlands.

The European Peatlands Initiative exploratory study involved over 150 stakeholders from the peatlands sector across Ireland and Europe. The aim of the study was to discover the key needs of Europe’s peatlands and to investigate if there were potential benefits that could accrue from cross- country collaboration on peatlands management.

European Peatlands Initiative Report – English – PDF

European Peatlands Initiative Report – Gaeilge – PDF