Deadline: 22-Jan-21
The COVID-19 Emergency Fund has been announced which is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development (the Department) and administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDs) in each Local Authority area.
Funding Information
- The 1st round of the COVID-19 Emergency Fund was launched in April, with funding of €2.5m. This is the 2nd round of the COVID-19 Emergency Fund and has funding of €1.7m.
Note – The Department has recommended that LCDCs ring-fence 30% of funding to provide small grants of €1,000 or less.
What Projects is Eligible for Funding?
It will provide grants to community groups to assist them:
- To adapt their services and operations to fit the new COVID-19 reality. Examples of measures supported could be adapting premises to allow for social distancing; offering on-line activities; providing social supports and friendly calls by phone, etc.
- To become more involved in the Government’s ‘Keep Well’ campaign. The grants are aimed at assisting participants in the campaign, in particular with the three themes: staying connected, switching off and being creative, and minding your mood.
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.
- Legal fees.
- Project management fees.
- Purchase of lands or buildings.
- Feasibility studies.
- Private or commercial operations.
Who is eligible to apply?
- In general, any not-for-profit community or voluntary group can apply.
- Commercial organisations and individuals are not eligible for funding.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated by Laois LCDC to ensure eligibility and that they are in keeping with the ethos of the programme. Projects may also be judged having regard to how they:
- Increase participant or visitor or audience numbers and improve and extend access to facilities. This may include adapting facilities to safely accommodate people or adapting services to increase virtual participation;
- Invest to increase or extend the use of the facility, for example, to voluntary and community groups;
- Have a positive impact on the environment, for example, a reduction in energy consumption;
- Demonstrate collaboration with the local authority or other relevant bodies in the catchment area;
- Support the creation of a sense of place within the community;
- Address health and safety issues; and/or,
- Invest in technology that will be accessed by individuals and communities.
Projects may also be judged having regard to additional criteria deemed appropriate by the LCDC in each Local Authority administrative area. The amount of funding received from other sources may also be considered.
For more information, visit https://laois.ie/covid19-emergency-fund-application-2nd-round/