Submitting an application for the Investment Grant-Aid Scheme
The Scheme is now closed to new applications
Applications for the EU Just Transition Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for private and community SMEs are now closed. There has been significant interest in the scheme, and a very high volume of applications have been received, particularly as the closing deadline approached. All fully completed applications are being evaluated in order of receipt. Evaluation takes approximately 8 weeks but may take longer due to the volume of submissions. Funding is limited, and available on a first come first served basis, until all available grant-aid has been awarded. Fáilte Ireland will contact you once your application is evaluated or if more information is needed.
If you have received a successful outcome of your Expression of Interest for the EU Just Transition Investment Grant-Aid Scheme, the next step is to prepare and submit your full application for funding.
Please read the following instructions carefully and reach out to our EU Just Transition Fund Engagement Team at justtransition@failteireland.ie if you have any questions.
Only fully completed applications will enter the evaluation process and be eligible for funding. Incomplete application forms will delay your project entering the evaluation stage as they will not be evaluated until fully completed. There is limited funding available under this scheme and once available funding is awarded to successful applications, the scheme will close.
The full guidelines and supporting information can be found here.
Please note that a successful Expression of Interest outcome does not guarantee eligibility for funding under this Scheme.
What do I need to complete my application?
You may need all or some of the documentation listed below, depending on the project type and category you have been deemed eligible to apply for. It is important to be aware of exactly what is required for your project so that you don’t submit an incomplete application form. If you are unsure of what your project requires, please contact your local Tourism Activator or justtransition@failteireland.ie for support.
1. Completing your application form
Log onto the Fáilte Ireland trade portal to complete your application form. We recommend you gather all necessary documents before you start the form (business plan, planning permission, proof of security, if required), however you can start the form and ‘save as you go’. Only completed forms that have all the necessary documentation will enter the evaluation process and be eligible for funding.
Please click here for a guide to completing the application form.
2. Completing your business plan
All project applicants must complete a business plan, and all business plans must use the correct business plan template. If you have any questions about completing the business plan, please contact your Tourism Activator or the EU Just Transition Engagement team at justtransition@failteireland.ie.
Business Plan Template A
If your funding grant is €300,000 or less please use this template and upload it with your application. Access here.
Business Plan Template B
If your funding grant is in excess of €300,000 but less than €500,000 please use this template and upload it with your application. Access here.
Business Plan Template C
If your funding grant is in excess of €500,000 please use this template and upload it with your application. Access here. Please note, applicants will be required to submit a cash flow sheet if completing this template.
3. Required planning permission and statutory consents
Some projects will require planning permission, and you must have the appropriate planning consents to complete your application. Seeking planning permission takes time, so we strongly recommend you submit your planning application to your local authority as soon as possible.
Similarly, if you need to undertake any other statutory consents for your project, please submit these as soon as possible. Only applications that have all the necessary consents will enter the evaluation process and be eligible for funding.
4. Proof of guarantee for projects over €300,000
If you are applying for over €300,000 in funding from the EU Just Transition Fund, you must provide a security guarantee. Only applications that have all the necessary financial documentation will enter the evaluation process and be eligible for funding.
5. Proof of match funding
If you are applying for less than €300,000, you must provide proof of match-funding in the form of a letter from your accountant/auditor or a Bank Facility Letter confirming that you have sufficient match funding. Only applications that have all the necessary financial documentation will enter the evaluation process and be eligible for funding.
6. Completed Accessibility Audit
If you are an applicant for a Category 5 project, you will need to complete an Accessibility Enhancements application form or Accessibility Assessment supporting document. You also may need to complete an Accessibility Audit depending on your business type. If you have been deemed successful in your Expression of Interest for Category 5, you will receive an email with more information on the Accessibility Audit and the forms that you need to complete.
You can contact your local Tourism Activator or email justtransition@failteireland.ie if you have any questions on this process.
7. Application Timelines
Please note, we are currently receiving a high volume of applications which are being reviewed in turn, on a first-come first-served basis. It currently takes at least 8 weeks for a fully complete application to be evaluated. Only fully completed applications will enter the evaluation process.
Fáilte Ireland is assessing complete applications in order of receipt and will be in contact with applicants once evaluation is complete or if further clarification is required.
Please note, available funding is limited under this investment scheme and is being awarded to successful projects as they are evaluated in turn. Once the available funds are awarded, this scheme or certain project categories may close earlier than 13th January, meaning that the opportunity to secure funding will no longer be available.
Which documentation does my project need?
Category 1
- 1. Evidence of Company Size - Mandatory
A letter from your accountant/auditor must accompany your application confirming the size of your enterprise (number of employees, turnover and annual balance sheet).
- 2. Annual Returns - Mandatory
Copy of your annual returns filed to the CRO for the last two years will be required.
- 3. VAT Status - Mandatory
Letter from Revenue confirming VAT Status.
- 4. Constitution/Memo & Articles of Association & Certificate of Incorporation - If applicable
If the applicant is not a limited company and is some other form of entity or body, details of the entities’ constitution (or equivalent), officers, functionaries, authorised persons or management (as applicable) must be provided.
- 5. Tax/PPSN - Mandatory
Tax Clearance Access Number and/ or PPSN/Reference Number as appropriate (mandatory).
- 6. Business Plan - Mandatory
A copy of your Business Plan in the supplied Fáilte Ireland business plan template must accompany your application. Please note, a Cash flow sheet will be required if completing Template C for funding requests in excess of €500k.
- 7. Proof of address - Mandatory
A utility bill or equivalent in the name of the applicant organisation will be required.
- 8. Project Programme - Mandatory
A Project Programme covering the development phase of the project will be required.
- 9. Design, Drawings and Photos – Where possible
If you have drawings, photos or designs relating to your project include these in support of your application.
- 10. Interpretation Plan / Strategy – Mandatory for Project Type 1 - Visitor Attractions
If your proposal includes an interpretative element, an interpretive strategy / plan will be required.
- 11. Right to Undertake Project at the Site Identified - Mandatory
Right to Undertake Project at the Site Identified:
i. A letter from your solicitor confirming that you either own the site or have a lease in place,
ii. or letter of comfort from the owner to say a lease will be provided for the operative period if the project receives funding/goes ahead. If you lease the site a letter will also be required from the landlord confirming you have consent to develop the project at that property.
- 12. Planning Permission - Mandatory
A copy of your Grant of Planning Permission Letter.
- 13. Other Statutory Approvals - If Applicable
If other statutory approvals are required for your project, you will need to provide evidence of such Approval as part of your application.
- 14. Visitor Experience Plan – If Applicable
If applicable, you will be required to provide a copy of your Visitor Experience Plan.
- 15. Project Costs - Mandatory
A detailed breakdown of project costs.
- 16. Match Funding - Mandatory
A letter from your accountant/auditor or a Bank Facility Letter confirming that you have sufficient match funding will be needed.
- 17. Evidence that the applicant was not an undertaking in difficulty on or before 31 December 2019
Mandatory
You will need to provide a copy of either:
i. an independent accountant’s letter or
ii. an Audit Letter/Report (dated 2019 or 2020 signed by your accountants for your most 2019 year-end Financial Statements) is required.
Category 2
- 1. Evidence of Company Size - Mandatory
A letter from your accountant/auditor must accompany your application confirming the size of your enterprise (number of employees, turnover and annual balance sheet).
- 2. Annual Returns - Mandatory
Copy of your annual returns filed to the CRO for the last two years will be required.
- 3. VAT Status - Mandatory
Letter from Revenue confirming VAT Status.
- 4. Constitution/Memo & Articles of Association & Certificate of Incorporation - If applicable
If the applicant is not a limited company and is some other form of entity or body, details of the entities’ constitution (or equivalent), officers, functionaries, authorised persons or management (as applicable) must be provided.
- 5. Tax/PPSN - Mandatory
Tax Clearance Access Number and/ or PPSN/Reference Number as appropriate (mandatory).
- 6. Business Plan - Mandatory
A copy of your Business Plan in the supplied Fáilte Ireland business plan template must accompany your application. Please note, a Cash flow sheet will be required if completing Template C for funding requests in excess of €500k.
- 7. Proof of address - Mandatory
A utility bill or equivalent in the name of the applicant organisation will be required.
- 8. Project Programme - Mandatory
A Project Programme covering the development phase of the project will be required.
- 9. Design, Drawings and Photos – Where possible
If you have drawings, photos or designs relating to your project include these in support of your application
- 10. Right to Undertake Project at the Site Identified - Mandatory
Right to Undertake Project at the Site Identified:
i. A letter from your solicitor confirming that you either own the site or have a lease in place,
ii. or letter of comfort from the owner to say a lease will be provided for the operative period if the project receives funding/goes ahead. If you lease the site a letter will also be required from the landlord confirming you have consent to develop the project at that property.
- 11. Planning Permission - Mandatory
A copy of your Grant of Planning Permission Letter.
- 12. Other Statutory Approvals - If Applicable
If other statutory approvals are required for your project, you will need to provide evidence of such Approval as part of your application.
- 13. Project Costs - Mandatory
A detailed breakdown of project costs.
- 14. Match Funding - Mandatory
A letter from your accountant/auditor or a Bank Facility Letter confirming that you have sufficient match funding will be needed.
- 15. Evidence that the applicant was not an undertaking in difficulty on or before 31 December 2019
Mandatory
You will need to provide a copy of either:
i. an independent accountant’s letter or
ii. an Audit Letter/Report (dated 2019 or 2020 signed by your accountants for your most 2019 year-end Financial Statements) is required.
Category 3
- 1. Evidence of Company Size - Mandatory
A letter from your accountant/auditor must accompany your application confirming the size of your enterprise (number of employees, turnover and annual balance sheet).
- 2. Annual Returns - Mandatory
Copy of your annual returns filed to the CRO for the last two years will be required.
- 3. VAT Status - Mandatory
Letter from Revenue confirming VAT Status.
- 4. Constitution/Memo & Articles of Association & Certificate of Incorporation - If applicable
If the applicant is not a limited company and is some other form of entity or body, details of the entities’ constitution (or equivalent), officers, functionaries, authorised persons or management (as applicable) must be provided.
- 5. Tax/PPSN - Mandatory
Tax Clearance Access Number and/ or PPSN/Reference Number as appropriate (mandatory).
- 6. Business Plan - Mandatory
A copy of your Business Plan in the supplied Fáilte Ireland business plan template must accompany your application. Please note, a Cash flow sheet will be required if completing Template C for funding requests in excess of €500k.
- 7. Proof of address - Mandatory
A utility bill or equivalent in the name of the applicant organisation will be required.
- 8. Project Programme - Mandatory
A Project Programme covering the development phase of the project will be required.
- 9. Design, Drawings and Photos – Where possible
If you have drawings, photos or designs relating to your project include these in support of your application.
- 10.Interpretation Plan / Strategy – Projects that will be coming back in for Category 1
If your proposal includes an interpretative element, an interpretive strategy / plan will be required.
- 11. Right to Undertake Project at the Site Identified - Mandatory
Right to Undertake Project at the Site Identified:
i. A letter from your solicitor confirming that you either own the site or have a lease in place,
ii. or letter of comfort from the owner to say a lease will be provided for the operative period if the project receives funding/goes ahead. If you lease the site a letter will also be required from the landlord confirming you have consent to develop the project at that property.
- 12. Other Statutory Approvals - If Applicable
If other statutory approvals are required for your project, you will need to provide evidence of such Approval as part of your application.
- 13. Visitor Experience Plan – If Applicable
If applicable, you will be required to provide a copy of your Visitor Experience Plan.
- 14. Project Costs - Mandatory
A detailed breakdown of project costs.
- 15. Match Funding - Mandatory
A letter from your accountant/auditor or a Bank Facility Letter confirming that you have sufficient match funding will be needed.
- 16. Evidence that the applicant was not an undertaking in difficulty on or before 31 December 2019
You will need to provide a copy of either:
i. an independent accountant’s letter or
ii. an Audit Letter/Report (dated 2019 or 2020 signed by your accountants for your most 2019 year-end Financial Statements) is required.
Category 5 Only Application form
- 1. Business plan - Mandatory
A copy of your Business Plan in the supplied Fáilte Ireland business plan template must accompany your application.
Please note, a Cash flow sheet will be required if completing Template C for funding requests in excess of €500k.
- 2. Accessibility Audit report - if applicable
If you have completed an Accessibility Audit, you will be required to upload a copy of the report issued to you from Mobility Mojo.
- 3. Project Programme - Mandatory
A Project Programme covering the development phase of the project will be required.
- 4. Designs/Drawings - if applicable
If you have drawings, photos or designs relating to your project include these in support of your application.
- 5. Quotes
Applications must be accompanied by the quotations for work which applicants will seek from suitably qualified third-party suppliers who will implement the specified work. In seeking quotes for work, applicants must adhere to public procurement rules (where applicable).
- 6. Interpretation plan - if applicable
If your proposal includes an interpretative element, an interpretive strategy / plan will be required.
- 7. Right to undertake - Mandatory
Right to Undertake Project at the Site Identified:
i. A letter from your solicitor confirming that you either own the site or have a lease in place,
ii. or letter of comfort from the owner to say a lease will be provided for the operative period if the project receives funding/goes ahead.
If you lease the site a letter will also be required from the landlord confirming you have consent to develop the project at that property.
- 8. Planning permission - Mandatory
A copy of your final Grant of Planning Permission Letter.
- 9. Other statutory approvals - if applicable
If other statutory approvals are required for your project, you will need to provide evidence of such Approval as part of your application.
- 10. Security - If applicable
Where funding in excess of the De Minimis Threshold (currently €300,000 but subject to review) is offered to projects in private ownership, the Applicant will be required to provide adequate security to the satisfaction of Fáilte Ireland to secure the investment grant for the first ten years of the operative period.