Open call for farmer safety, health and well-being projects

The department has issued an open call to fund projects surrounding farmer safety, farmer physical and mental health and specifically look into funding projects for the elderly.

An open call for farmer safety, health and well-being projects has been launched by the department.

Announcing the call, minister Healy-Rae said: “Building on the success of the Open Calls in 2024 and 2025, this initiative will support projects in 2026 to improve the safety, health and well-being of our farming community.

The minister highlighted the older demographic of farmers specifically, as he reported that farmers over 60 years of age accounted for three-quarters of all farm fatalities in 2025.

"Several new themes have been added to the Open Call this year, including proposals to support older farmers, who are a more vulnerable group specifically.” 

The department is also seeking project proposals for training to work at height, hearing and sight checks, while enhanced health checks will include health behaviour change follow-ups to encourage farmers to make the necessary changes to improve and protect their health.

The Open Call projects are being funded from the department’s dedicated farm safety budget. Proposals are sought for projects that will address the following themes and sub-themes. 

For farm safety, specific areas being addressed are: 

• Tractor driving awareness training for children 14 years of age and older; 
• Chainsaw training for farmers; 
• Working at height training for farmers.

For farmers' physical health, areas being addressed are

• Farmers' physical health checks; 
• Hearing and sight checks.

Under farmers' mental health and well-being, the department hopes to fund projects on mental health checks, as well as looking to support projects supporting older farmers.

All projects funded under the Open Call must be completed by October 30, 2026. Successful projects delivered in 2026 may be funded again in subsequent year(s) for a period or periods of up to 12 months, up to the end of 2029, subject to funding being available and approval by the department.

Welcoming the open call, minister Heydon said: “Having secured €3 million in dedicated funding for this important area in Budget 2026, my department will continue to prioritise the safety, health, and well-being of everyone involved in farming.

"I am committed to ensuring that, over the next four years, every farmer takes the necessary measures to address the safety risks on their farms, as well as protecting and improving their physical and mental health and wellbeing.” 

The deadline for submission of applications is 5pm on April 1, 2026.

The specification documentation and application form are available on the department website.