Community Recognition Fund 2023

The Community Recognition Fund 2023 was launched by the Minister of Rural & Community Development, Heather Humphries TD on Tuesday 24th January, 2023.

This 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 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.

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.

€50 million is available nationally under the Fund and this is allocated between each local authority based on the number of new arrivals located there. On this basis, the allocation to County Donegal is €3,114,395.

The scheme is being administered on behalf of the Donegal County Council by the Donegal Local Community Development Committees (LCDC)

The deadline for receipt of completed EOI applications is 3pm on Monday, 6^th March 2023.

Rules

The Community Recognition Fund is open for application for Capital Projects, which deliver tangible benefits for the communities in which they are located, and be capable of being delivered over the course of 2023 and 2024, eg

• 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

Eligible projects will receive funding for capital costs, but not for any ongoing operational or running costs.

Amounts approved to Organisations will be subject to the total number of applications approved and the overall budget available (€3.1 million).

Rates

This funding scheme will provide large capital grants ranging from €25,000 to a maximum of €250,000 with a requirement that projects are fully complete by 18th October 2024.

How to apply:

Your group must submit a completed Community Recognition Fund Expression of Interest Form to Donegal Local Development Committee (LCDC) with the required supporting documentation to the following address:

Community Enhancement Programme

Community Development

Donegal County Council

Station Island

Lifford

F93 X7PK

Co Donegal

Emailed applications can be sent to [email protected]; but must be received by the closing date and deadline.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 3.00 pm on Monday, 6^th March 2023.

Expressions of Interest received after this time will not be considered.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the EOI process by the LCDC by 16^th March 2023, following which the LCDC will engage with shortlisted applicants to determine whether projects can be fully complete before 31^st December 2024.

Application Forms/Supporting Documentation:

Community Recognition Fund 2023 - Expression of Interest Form

Community Recognition Fund 2023 - Scheme Outline

LECP Strategic Goals & Strategic Themes

The Irish Version of Forms will be uploaded when they become available.