Macra is to receive just over €32,000 from the government in capital investment to upgrade equipment and infrastructure.

Today (Wednesday, October 28), Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton announced a total allocation of €502,137 under the Youth Capital Funding Scheme 2026 to support 24 national youth organisations across Ireland.

The investment will help youth organisations, such as Macra, upgrade facilities, improve accessibility, enhance digital capacity and purchase equipment needed to deliver high-quality services for young people in communities nationwide.

The funding forms part of the department's wider €4 million National Development Plan (NPD) investment in youth infrastructure and services for 2026.

The investment aims to make a tangible difference to the experiences of young people by creating more welcoming and accessible environments, while ensuring youth organisations have the tools, technology and infrastructure needed to meet the needs of young people.

Macra funding

The total allocation for Macra is €32,140 to upgrade ICT equipment, enhance digital archiving, and purchase event infrastructure to enable Macra to engage with young people at events such as the National Ploughing Championships.

Announcing the funding, Minister Naughton said: “I am delighted to announce this important investment of more than half a million euro in Ireland’s national youth organisations.

"This funding will strengthen that work by helping organisations improve their facilities, modernise equipment and enhance the services they provide."

The minister stressed that by investing in the infrastructure that supports youth work, the government is investing directly in opportunities for young people and in stronger communities across Ireland.

Grants awarded under the scheme range from almost €4,000 to €63,000 and will support projects in communities across the country.