Deadline: 3-Feb-23
Applications are now open for Community Support Fund under the Community Enhancement Programme 2022 to support community groups across Ireland.
The CSF is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development (the Department) and administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area.
The CSF provides funding to locally based community and voluntary groups in disadvantaged urban and rural areas across Co. Louth to help with their energy costs such as electricity and gas costs, refuse charges, and operating costs such as existing rental/lease costs and insurance bills .
It was launched at a national level by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD on 18th November 2022
Funding Information
The Department has recommended that LCDC’s ring-fence 30% funding to provide small grants of €1,000 or less
- With their non-pay running costs such as energy costs (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges) or other non-pay operating costs for eg rental/lease costs, insurance bills;
- Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, purchase equipment for eg such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawn mowers, canopies and training equipment 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;
- Ring-fencing funding at this level will allow a larger volume of those with limited resources to receive some funding. The program can also fund or partially fund larger scale projects to address disadvantage.
Target groups
This funding is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantaged as identified in the LECP.
Eligible projects for funding
The following provides a non-exhaustive list of projects that could receive funding under the programme:
- Development/renovation of community centers;
- 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;
- Streetscape;
- Development of play/recreation spaces;
- Energy efficiency type projects;
- Purchase of equipment;
- Adaptations or equipment needed as a result of COVID-19;
- Maintenance of premises;
- Energy costs (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges);
- Operating costs (eg existing rental/lease costs, insurance bills);
- Site maintenance;
- Cleaning;
- Audit & Accountancy Fees;
- To ensure appropriate monitoring and governance, the Department is stating that energy/operating/running costs incurred in the period 1st Jan 2022 to 31 Dec 2022 are eligible
Eligibility Criteria
- Any not-for-profit community or voluntary group may apply;
- Commercial organizations and individuals are not eligible for funding.
For more information, visit Community Enhancement Program (Ireland).