Earlier this year, Minister for Rural & Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, together with her colleague Minister Joe O’Brien TD, have announced a further €50 million in national funding under the Community Recognition Fund to deliver projects over 2025 and 2026.
The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced last year to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.
Wicklow County Council has been allocated €1,584,550 under the 2024 Community Recognition Fund. Wicklow County Council sought expressions of interest for project proposals in the scheme’s first phase earlier this year, through which €694,300 was approved for seven community projects.
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 scheme details set out that only areas which have high levels of new arrivals will be deemed eligible for this scheme.
The final application window is now open for submissions. Applications will be accepted until 4pm on Friday, 10th January 2025. Projects to be funded will be capital in nature, deliver medium to long term benefits for the communities in which they are located, and be capable of being delivered over the course of 2025 to 2026.
Projects that will be funded 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).
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 4pm on Friday, 10th January 2025
An online information session on the scheme will be held on Wednesday 11th December 2024 at 5.30pm. Registration is available by clicking here.
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.
The Department of Rural and Community Development has published the full details of the scheme (including funding allocations). For further information please see gov.ie
Expression of Interest applications should be sent to Community Recognition Fund 2024, Social Development (Housing & Community), Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Whitegates, Wicklow, A67 FW96.
Expression of Interest applications can also be scanned and emailed to CRF@wicklowcoco.ie to arrive before the deadline of 4pm Friday 10th January 2025.
Please do not submit multiple applications as only one application per organisation will be considered.
Queries should be directed to Social Development (Housing & Community), Tel. (0404) 20208 or email: CRF@wicklowcoco.ie
Please find information links and application form below.