Community Recognition Fund 2024
Expression of Interest Application Form
This form is to be completed in respect of funding for large scale capital projects which are proposed to be delivered in communities, towns and villages hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants including towns identified for the rapid build homes programme. Projects situated in areas that do not have high levels of new arrivals will not be deemed eligible to go forward as part of the Council's Funding Proposal to the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Locations eligible for this funding include:
- Ballyvaughen; Bellharbour; Bodyke; Bunratty; Clarecastle; Doolin;Ennis; Inch; Killaloe; Kilbaha; Kilkee; Kilmaley; Kilrush; Knockalisheen; Lahinch; Liscannor; Lisdoonvarna; Miltown Malbay; New Market-on-Fergus; Scariff; Shannon; Tulla.
Selection of the projects to be submitted to the Department of Rural & Community Development for funding consideration will be by means of a competitive process. Due to the limited availability of funds, a shortlisting process will be implemented, meaning that not all submitted projects will go forward as part of the funding proposal to the Department of Rural & Community Development. It is therefore important that applicants provide detailed information showing a clear plan, costings and timeframes associated with their project.
Applications will be weighted in favour of “collaborating communities” where it is clear the community groups in a particular location are in support of the proposed project. This needs to be demonstrated through evidence of existing community plans and/or letters of support or other consultation with local community stakeholders. The Rural & Community Development Officers are available to support engagement at community level with community groups in terms of putting forward the project that has the widest community impact and benefits all members of the community, in accordance with the scheme.
Where more than one application is received from a location (town/village) in this application window, priority will be afforded to the project that has demonstrated in the application form that it has the relevant consents and permissions in place and is “shovel ready”, with a clear need and support for the project from across the community
Minimum Grant Funding €50,000 and Maximum Grant Funding €500,000
Type of projects eligible for funding are:
- development, enhancement or refurbishment of community or cultural facilities including play areas, walkways, parks, community/sensory gardens, 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; (any vehicle funded must be in good condition and not more than 5 years old)
- projects that help address dereliction and/or wider local economic and community development objectives;
- purchase and refurbishment of vacant or derelict buildings for community use where a clear need is identified.
- Purchase of land and associated works for the development of community facilities such as play areas/ MUGAs or town parks/ community gardens, recreational areas etc. (purchases must only be administered by the local authority).
Ineligible Projects:
· Projects situated in areas that do not have high levels of new arrivals
· Projects that are not capital in nature and include operational or running costs.
· Smaller projects artificially combined to meet the minimum threshold of €50,000
· Projects which have a co-funding source from any other scheme operated by any Government Department
Closing Date for submission of Expressions of Interest:
By 4:00 p.m. Thursday May 9th 2024
- Expressions of Interest must be accompanied by a written quotation to justify the costings provided otherwise they will not be considered for funding.
- Incomplete Expressions of Interest or Expressions of Interest that lack sufficient information will not be considered for inclusion in the funding proposal for the County to be submitted to the Department of Rural & Community Development.