Community Recognition Fund

 

 

 

 

 

Community Recognition Fund

 

On 19th March 2024, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Minister of State Joe O’Brien, announced a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund 2024.  The allocation for Co. Laois is €1,012,996.

 

The Community Recognition Fund 2024 aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities for the entire community 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. 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 and other countries.

 

Laois County Council is seeking Expressions of Interest for project proposals from community groups in towns & villages that are hosting high levels of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicants.  Only towns & villages that are hosting high levels of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicants are eligible for this funding.

The possible types of projects that can be funded under the scheme include:

  • 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).

 

Projects to be funded will:

  • be shovel ready.

 

  • be capital in nature.

 

  • deliver medium-long term benefits for the communities in which they are located, and be capable of being delivered over the course of 2025 and 2026.

 

  • A minimum spend of 50% of the allocation must be incurred in 2025.

 

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

 

  • The minimum level of funding for an individual project is €50,000 with a maximum of €500,000 applying.

 

  • Smaller projects cannot be artificially combined to meet the minimum threshold of €50,000 – while the 2023 scheme provided funding for small scale investment in clubs and communities (e.g. for small scale equipment), the focus of the 2024 scheme is on projects of greater scale and impact.

 

  • For projects over €200,000 additional information must be provided at application stage giving further details on the needs identified in the location, the engagement and collaboration that resulted in the selection of the location and specific project and the capacity of the community to progress the proposed project. Appendix 4 – Additional Info re EOI’s over €200,000

 

 

Proposed project details should be submitted to crf@laoiscoco.ie by 4:00pm Thursday 25th April 2024 using the EOI application form  Expression of Interest – CLICK HERE to download 

 

Please ensure to read the CRF guidelines in relation to the current scheme

 

 

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