Submissions will be accepted until Friday 3rd May at 4pm
The funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants 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.
The Community Recognition 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, €1,055,308 is allocated to County Offaly.
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. 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.
Local authorities have scope to invest the funding based on their own distinct local needs as identified through a “bottom-up” approach based on community engagement.
However, the 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 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).
Offaly County Council have been awarded €1,055,308 under this funding.
Application Process
Interested groups should consider the requirements of the project, possible costs involved and plan their application carefully. The funding allocation 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.
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.
- All applications should include as much information as possible including details of any organisation or community group which you represent.
- All submissions are subject to the Data Protection Act (as amended) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (as amended) and the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (as amended).
- Submissions will be accepted until Friday 3rd May at 4pm.
Online application link is now available here: SUBMIT APPLICATION LINK
If you have any queries about this funding, please contact community@offalycoco.ie or 05793 57401.