Thurles Information

Recognised primary and post-primary schools are invited to apply for funding to bring sustainability learning to life, through practical projects during the 2026/27 school year.

The Department of Education and Youth’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) up to 2030 funding call, offers grants of €1,000 to €2,500, with a total funding allocation of €1 million. Funding is competitive, and not all applications may be successful.

Building a More Sustainable Future Together
Ireland’s National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development, ESD to 2030, aims to equip every learner with the knowledge and skills to contribute to a sustainable future.
The strategy recognises three connected dimensions of sustainability; protecting the environment, supporting social wellbeing and inclusion, and using economic resources responsibly. It encourages learners to put their knowledge into practice in their schools, homes and communities.

Five Pathways to Meaningful Change.
Projects must support one or more of the strategy’s five priority action areas:

1. Advancing Policy: Embedding sustainability in education policies and planning.
2. Transforming Learning Environments: Developing a whole-school approach to sustainability.
3. Capacity Building of Educators: Strengthening the knowledge and skills of teachers and school leaders.
4. Empowering and Mobilising Youth: Creating opportunities for young people to take action.
5. Accelerating Local Level Action: Connecting schools and communities through shared sustainability initiatives.

Priority will be given to projects that include local action and/or capacity building for educators.

What Makes a Strong Application?
Projects must support the implementation of ESD to 2030 and help school management, staff and/or students develop knowledge and skills for sustainable development.Applications will also be assessed on features such as curriculum links, a whole-school approach, practical action, peer learning, community engagement, volunteering and outdoor learning. Connections to the Sustainable Development Goals, inclusion of disadvantaged learners and learners with disabilities, and clear plans for monitoring progress will strengthen proposals.
Other considerations include whether the project receives other public funding, whether the school has previously received ESD to 2030 funding, and whether it has adopted and published a Sustainability Policy Statement.

Projects do not need to meet every assessment criterion, but greater consideration will be given to applications meeting several of them.

Planning How the Grant Will Be Used
Funding should support activities within the school. The call identifies funding for school use rather than fees for external services or programme providers as an assessment consideration.

Infrastructure costs, such as solar panels, insulation and energy-efficient lighting, are not covered.
Successful schools must use the grant for the approved purpose during the 2026/27 school year. Any change requires the department’s explicit agreement in advance, and unspent funding must be returned.

Sharing Progress and Embedding Sustainability
Successful applicants must report on the work completed and how the funding was spent. The application form requires an update by the end of May 2027, and an evaluation template will be provided.
Schools that already have a Sustainability Policy Statement will receive priority.
Remember to include the school’s full name, location and roll number in all correspondence.
The department will acknowledge applications within five working days. If no acknowledgement arrives within that period, contact the department promptly to confirm receipt.

Submit Your Application by 23 October.
Completed application forms must be emailed to ESD@education.gov.ie by 6:00pm on Friday, 23 October 2026.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome before the end of November 2026, with funding issued shortly afterwards.
This is an opportunity for schools to turn sustainability education into practical action, strengthen community connections and give learners an active role in shaping a more sustainable future.

Funded schools without one must develop and publish a statement by the end of the 2026/27 school year and include its website link in their report.