Deadline: 15-Mar-23
The Department of Rural and Community Development is seeking applications for its Community Recognition Fund 2023 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 arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.
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.
Funding Information
€50 million is available under the Fund, and this is allocated between each local authority based on the number of new arrivals located there. €30m of the Fund will be available in 2023 and €20m in 2024. A minimum spend of 60% must be incurred by the local authorities in 2023 with the remaining 40% in 2024.
Eligible Projects
- Projects to be funded will be capital in nature, deliver tangible benefits for 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 must be incurred in 2023. Eligible projects will receive funding for capital costs, but not for any ongoing operational or running costs.
- Local authorities have scope to invest the funding based on their own distinct local needs as identified through a “bottom-up” approach based the community engagement referenced above.
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However, the type of projects eligible for funding are:
- 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; and
- 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.
For more information, visit Department of Rural and Community Development.