Community Recognition Fund
Leitrim County Council is now accepting Applications under The Community Recognition Fund. This fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in support cities, towns and villages nationwide. Based on the continued impacts on communities throughout the country and the need to support these communities in welcoming new arrivals, a further €50 million is being provided under the Community Recognition Fund 2024. Of this fund, €2,212,974 is allocated to County Leitrim.
Funding is targeted at and specifically invested in those communities, villages and towns where the highest level of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified. Projects situated in areas that do not have high levels of new arrivals will not be deemed eligible.
Projects to be funded will 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. Eligible projects will receive funding for capital costs, but not for any ongoing operational or running costs. Projects will be eligible for 100% of funding costs.
The minimum level of funding for an individual project is €50,000 with a maximum of €500,000 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.
Leitrim County Council is seeking applications for large scale project proposals from areas hosting new arrivals. It is important to note only towns & villages that are hosting high levels of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicants are eligible for this funding. It is essential that projects that are being applied for are able to commence immediately if a funding application is successful.
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.; (facilities must be open to use by all of the community)
-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. (Purchases must only be made by the local authority)
-purchase of land and associated works for the development of community facilities such as play areas/MUGAs or townparks/community gardens, recreational areas etc. (Purchases must only be made by the local authority)
Application Process
Interested groups should consider the requirements of the project, possible costs involved and plan their application carefully. The funding will be a competitive process and where numerous applications come from areas that are identified as high need, groups should endeavour to answer all parts of the application form fully. Projects should be specific, timebound, show clear costings and planning throughout, and be achievable within the timeframes involved. Any planning issues should be clearly identified. Please read the guidelines carefully here.
Important things to note in submitting your application:
Only towns & villages that are hosting high levels of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicants are eligible for this funding
Leitrim County Council are accepting applications in three tranches. It is highly recommended that groups apply for this funding as soon as is practicable.
Tranche 1 closing date: 10th May 2024 (Application window now closed)
Tranche 2 closing date: 26th August 2024 (Application window now open – Please Note deadline has been extended from 17th July)
Tranche 3 closing date: 30th November 2024
All applications will be assessed by an independent committee.
