Deadline: 17-Feb-25
The Department of Rural and Community Development Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 will provide capital and current funding to support community groups across Ireland.
The capital funding will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment etc.
The current funding will support groups/organisations with running costs associated with their facilities and groups – such as electricity bills, insurance, refuse costs, rental costs, etc.
This funding will help communities, community groups and committees, allowing them to continue to provide valuable services to the people in their area, and in the process strengthen the bonds that tie communities together. The fund also aims to support local strategic priorities through linkages with Local Economic Community Plans (LECPs).
Funding Information
- The Department has recommended that LCDCs ring-fence 30% funding to provide small capital grants of €1,000 or less.
What costs are eligible for funding?
- The following provides a non-exhaustive list of projects that could receive funding under the programme:
- Development/renovation of community centres
- Accessibility improvements
- Community amenities
- Development of youth clubs or facilities
- Development of sports/recreation facilities
- Improvements to town parks and common areas and spaces
- CCTV equipment
- Public realm improvements
- Street-scaping
- Development of play/recreation spaces
- Improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs
- Purchase of equipment
- Purchase of laptops, tablets
- Maintenance of premises, including painting and repairs
- Capital work to increase biodiversity, or to reduce the carbon footprint of a facility
- Cleaning equipment
- Energy costs (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges) – current funding only
- Operating costs (existing rental/lease costs, insurance bills) – current funding only
- Website Maintenance – current funding only
- Audit & Accountancy fees– current funding only
- To ensure appropriate monitoring and governance, the Department is stating that only operating/running costs related to this period are eligible – 1st June 2024 to 30th May 2025.
What is not eligible for funding?
- The following expenditure is not eligible for funding:
- Any project not in keeping with the ethos of the Programme
- Employment costs
- Legal fees
- Project management fees
- Purchase of lands or buildings
- Feasibility studies
- Private or commercial operations
- Costs which are being paid for by another funder or department
Who is eligible to apply?
- Any not-for-profit community or voluntary group can apply.
- Commercial organisations and individuals are not eligible for funding.
For more information, visit Cork County Council.