The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) is currently inviting tenders for social farming projects.

The department said it is seeking proposals from "suitable, experienced economic operator(s) who have the capability and vision, to develop a substantial new or existing social farming model project".

The service will be funded under the department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund.

DAFM

The tender documents state that funding up to a maximum of €150,000 will be provided for each model project.

The department noted that funding for capital works will not be considered.

Tenderers are advised that there is no obligation for them to propose costs up to the maximum budget available of €150,000.

The annual funding pot for the total value of all contracts is limited to a maximum of €377,000, with up to 4 lots being awarded.

The department said funding will be awarded on a competitive basis, in accordance with specified published qualifying and award criteria.

In evaluating tenders, DAFM will take account of the following:

Proposals which have a national reach/benefit;
Proposals which are open and visible to the public and will raise awareness of social farming;
Proposals which can establish a best practice model for social farming;
Proposals which promote the concept of social farming to a wider audience, as well as supporting individuals who are already involved in social farming nationwide.

The closing date for the submission of tenders is 12:00p.m on April 24, 2026.

Social farming

DAFM said that social farming is the practice of offering, on a voluntary basis, farming and horticultural participation in a farming environment as a choice to people who avail of a range of therapeutic day support services.

Projects are run in a number of settings ranging from working family farms, local community initiatives through to more institutional frameworks.

"Social farming is widely practiced across Europe and is considered at an advanced stage of development in the Netherlands, Norway and Italy.

"It is moderately developed in countries such as France Finland Germany and the UK and is developing in Ireland," the department said.

The tender documents outlined that experience has shown that "well-run operations provide an opportunity for inclusion for disadvantaged groups, increase their self-esteem and improve health and well-being".

"When operating from a working family farm, these initiatives support farm diversification and help farmers connect with the wider community," the department added.