Community Recognition Fund 2023 in Ireland

Deadline: 6-Jun-23

Roscommon County Council wish to announce an open call for Expressions of Interest from community and voluntary groups for delivery of projects under the ‘Community Recognition Fund 2023’.

The Community Recognition Fund 2023 (‘the Fund’) aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of new arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.

Focus Areas

• The funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants (‘new arrivals’) including towns identified for the rapid build homes programme.

Aims

• The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It is separate in its objectives and scope to any other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of arrivals from Ukraine.

Funding Criteria

• The funding is targeted at and specifically invested in communities, villages and towns where the highest level of (‘new arrivals’) are located.

Eligible Projects

• Development, enhancement or refurbishment of community or cultural facilities including play areas, walkways, parks, community/sensory gardens including communication boards, allotments, and recreational areas;
• Development, enhancement or refurbishment of local club and sports facilities including facilities such as community swimming pools, changing rooms, toilets, digital aids such as score / information boards etc.;
• Enhancement to school/parish facilities which are open to use by all of the community after school hours;
• Purchase of equipment for local clubs, festivals, community events and organisations e.g. music, arts or sports equipment;
• Transport infrastructure such as the purchase of community vehicles, bus shelters  and attendant information boards;
• Purchase and refurbishment of buildings and/or the purchase of land for the development of community facilities such as play areas/ MUGAs or town parks/community gardens, recreational areas etc. for community use where a clear need is identified.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions

• The funding is targeted at and specifically invested in communities, villages and towns where the highest level of (‘new arrivals’) are located.
• Projects situated in areas that do not have high levels of new arrivals will not be deemed eligible.
• ‘Shovel-Ready’ Projects, with all necessary permissions and consents in place. Projects must directly address local needs and be capable of being delivered over the course of 2023 and 2024, in line with dates set by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
• Please note that previous funding may be taken into account when assessing applications.
• Projects to be funded will be capital in nature, deliver benefits to the communities in which they are located, and be capable of being delivered over the course of 2023 and 2024.
• A minimum spend of 60% of the allocation should be incurred in 2023. Eligible projects will receive funding for capital costs, but not for any ongoing operational or running costs.
• No works should commence in advance of formal funding approval from Roscommon County Council.
• There is no guarantee of funding and eligible applications will be evaluated on a competitivebasis against the assessment criteria set out in the Programme Guidelines and in particular the numbers of ‘new arrivals’ in the community.