FAQ Page

Capability supports are now open for expressions of interest under the EU Just Transition Tourism Learning Network. This element of the scheme will provide for capability building to develop your understanding in sustainable tourism practices and regenerative tourism. It will provide an understanding of key areas in sustainability and climate action, carbon emissions and their impact on the climate and the importance of making the right investment choices for you and your business. These capability supports offered will complement investment in more sustainable technologies, available under the separate Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs to advance your sustainability efforts.

The EU Just Transition Fund is a fund created under the 2021-2027 programming round. It operates under Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 within the framework of the EU Cohesion policy. The Fund’s objective is to support the regions and communities in Europe that are most negatively affected by the transition to climate neutrality, ensuring that no one is left behind. 

All grant-aided costs must be fully paid by the end of September 2026 by the grantee and drawn down from Fáilte Ireland by the end of October 2026. Any grant claims that are outstanding after the end of October 2026 will be terminated.

The EOI process for the Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private & Community SMEs will be open from August 30th. All grant-aided costs must be fully paid by the grantee by the end of September 2026 and claims submitted to Fáilte Ireland by the end of October 2026. 

It provides support for individuals looking to develop or set up a business based in the region through the Investment Grant Aid Scheme.

Yes, you can access funding for Accessibility enhancements under category 5 of this funding scheme. An accessibility audit will be undertaken which will identify the improvements that need to be made. Under the criteria in category 5 you can see the types of projects that will be covered. In addition, supports will be offered under the Tourism Learning Network.

Yes.

Please refer to the guidelines in the section 'What are eligible costs'? 

Yes, if the projects are at different sites or fall under the different categories within the scheme they will require a separate application. 

Yes, provided the conditions in the guidelines are met. The guidelines can be found here.

The scheme supports a wide range of visitor experiences and is open to innovative tourist offers. A detailed list of types of eligible projects are set out in Appendix 1 of the scheme guidelines.

The areas permitted to apply for these grants must be in the designated municipal districts outlines in the EOI form. Please consult the EU Just Transition Fund Territory page for further information.

A Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) is an organisation which promotes a location and its breadth of products and experiences as an attractive tourism destination for visitors. They can also be known as a Destination Management Organisation.

Yes, claims will only be paid with verified paid invoices on eligible costs. 

Match funding is required for all Investment Grants above €10,000, with the exception of Investment Grants awarded under Category 4 (Digital Transformation). The applicant will be required to contribute a minimum of 20% of total project costs as match funding. Match funding may consist of the applicant’s own funds, investor funds, borrowings or other sources of public funding subject to state aid rules.   

Micro investment grants can be offered up to a value of €10,000 at a grant-aid rate of 100% of total project costs (or lower, at the discretion of Fáilte Ireland and as State Aid rules allow) Investment grants of between €300,001 and €2,000,000 may be offered at a maximum grant-aid rate of 80% of total project costs (or lower, at the discretion of Fáilte Ireland and subject to State Aid rules).Investment grants of between €10,001 and €300,000 may be offered at a maximum grant-aid rate of 80% of total project costs (or lower, at the discretion of Fáilte Ireland and as State Aid rules allow).

Awards of investment grants greater than €2,000,000 may be considered, at the discretion of Fáilte Ireland, for projects that will deliver a significant high economic impact. Grant-aid rates will be determined by State aid rules. Grants awarded under Category 4 (Digital Transformation) will be offered at a rate of up to 100% of eligible project costs where EU State Aid rules allow. 

This scheme is operating under both the De Minimis Regulation and the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER). Grants will be awarded under de Minimis or the GBER Exemptions as appropriate.

Under the De Minimis Aid Regulation (Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2831) the current ceiling for all De Minimis aid, regardless of the source, awarded to any single undertaking by any State agency or public body over a three-year fiscal period is €300,000. This regulation came into force on 1 January 2024 and represents an increase on the previous ceiling of €200,000.

Micro investment grants can be offered up to a value of €10,000 at a grant-aid rate of 100% of total project costs (or lower, at the discretion of Fáilte Ireland and as State Aid rules allow). Investment grants of between €10,001 and €300,000 may be offered at a maximum grant-aid rate of 80% of total project costs (or lower, at the discretion of Fáilte Ireland and as State Aid rules allow). Investment grants of between €300,001 and €2,000,000 may be offered at a maximum grant-aid rate of 80% of total project costs (or lower, at the discretion of Fáilte Ireland and subject to State Aid rules). Investment grants greater than €2,000,000 may be considered, at the discretion of Fáilte Ireland, for projects that will deliver a particularly high economic impact. Grant-aid rates will be determined by State aid rules.  Grants awarded under Category 4A (Digital Transformation – Productivity Enhancement) will be offered at a rate of 100% of eligible project costs where EU State Aid rules allow.

Where funding is more than the De Minimis threshold of €300,000 and is offered to projects in private ownership, the grantee will be required to provide adequate security to the satisfaction of Fáilte Ireland to secure the investment grant for the operative period. This means placing a charge over an asset to the value of the investment, which has increased from €200,000 to €300,000.

The Eastern Midlands Regional Assembly (EMRA) is the Managing Authority for the management and implementation of the EUJTF Programme in Ireland.  The role of the EMRA includes the management of forecasts of claims, management of evaluations, verification of payment for account submission and compliance with EU policies and communications. Under Just Transition, Fáilte Ireland has been appointed an intermediate body which acts under the responsibility of the EMRA, tasked with the administration of €68 million for a Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. Through this scheme Fáilte Ireland will oversee and administer investment in the sustainable development of tourism in the Midlands with the aim of diversifying the regional economy by creating jobs and sustaining communities. The responsibilities of Fáilte Ireland as an intermediate body include selection of projects within the scope of the JTF, issue of grant offer in accordance with EU rules and these scheme guidelines, submission of claims for EU JTF co-funding to EMRA, and verification that co-financed products and services have been delivered. 

Under our EU Just Transition Fund Tourism Learning Network, these supports will be available. This element of the funding scheme is not being launched now but will be in October 2023.

Yes, if you meet the recommended criteria to pass the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage a link to an application form will be provided to you. In the guidelines the full eligibility criteria and required documents our listed.

Yes.

A municipal district is an area of a council area that comprises one or more electoral area.

There will be an evaluation team who will look at and evaluate all EOI submissions to determine eligibility based on the criteria of the scheme. Once approved those eligible will progress to the next stage of the process.

The Expression Of Interest Forms are the same for both Private and Community Group SMEs.

We have produced a webinar which takes you through the steps required to complete an Expression of Interest form.  A similar video will be created for the application form.

The Webinar is recorded and available to watch at your convenience and available here.

That the applicant owns the land or has a lease of acceptable duration.