Groups urged to apply for Covid-19 relief funding
COMMUNITIES across north and mid- Cork have been urged to ‘get their ducks in a row’ and prepare submissions for the 2020 round of funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Established in 2016 the scheme is a key element of the Action Plan for Rural Development and is one of a range of measures to support the revitalisation of rural regions under the Project Ireland 2040 programme.
Since its inception almost €70 million has been allocated to more than 830 projects around the country.
Last year a trio of north Cork villages benefited to the tune of more than €435,000 for public realm works and key local infrastructural projects under the initiative.
Ballydesmond, Dromahane and Doneraile were among seven locations in Cork County that shared more than €735,000 windfall under the scheme, with Cork County Council providing matching funds.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, recently announced that this year €15 million in funding has been set aside under the scheme, for towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000.
Minister Ring said that while the scheme will work broadly in line with previous years, there will be a particular emphasis placed on supporting the social and economic recovery from COVID-19.
As part of its Project ACT recovery programme Cork County Council is now seeking expressions of interest from community, business and developments groups for projects that will enable towns and villages to respond to the particular challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis.
The authority’s chief executive, Tim Lucey, urged groups to get working on their submissions now in order to have them fully prepared in time for the July 17 deadline for applications.
“Cork County Council continues to work alongside communities to adapt to COVID-19 and support economic and social recovery throughout the county under Project ACT. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme represents a significant opportunity to bolster our efforts - one which the Council intends to make full use of,” he said.
County Mayor, Cllr Ian Doyle, said the scheme offered an ideal chance to “turn community ambitions into realised successes.”
“This is an opportunity to make a big difference for your community,” he added.
An Expressions of Interest Form and further information on the Town & Village Renewal Scheme is available on www. corkcoco.ie.
Forms should be emailed to townandvillagerenewal@ corkcoco.ie or returned to the relevant Cork County Council Municipal District Office by 4pm on Friday, July 17.