Funding schemes available to help sustain communities and heritage
THE Department of Rural and Community Development has recently announced details of a €15 million allocation for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2020.
The scheme that provides funding for projects that support rural towns and villages to be more attractive and sustainable, with a particular focus in 2020, on projects that aid the economic and social recovery of towns and villages in response to COVID-19.
Cork County Council, as part of its Project ACT programme for recovery, is seeking Expressions of Interest from community, business and development groups countywide for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2020. Of the €15M, at least 60% will be made available nationwide to towns and villages with a population of up to 5,000 with the remainder to go to towns and villages with populations between 5,001 and 10,000.
Cork County Council is required to complete and submit applications for Cork County by August 28th 2020.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Ian Doyle welcomed the announcement of the 2020 scheme stating: “Under Project ACT, Cork County Council is committed to supporting the recovery of our towns and villages and working alongside our communities to do so. This national funding could provide vital support to your local area and turn your community’s ambitions into realised successes.
“I implore community, business and development groups to submit Expressions of Interest for the funding with your ideas. This is an opportunity to make a big difference for your community.”
Speaking of the scheme, Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey commented: “Cork County Council continues to work alongside communities to adapt to Covid-19 and support economic and social recovery throughout the County as part of 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.”
The Expression of Interest Form and further information on the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is available on Cork County Council’s website – https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/ municipal-districts/town-and-village-renewalForms should be emailed to townandvillagerenewal@corkcoco.ie or returned to the relevant Municipal District Office before the closing date of 4pm on 17th July 2020.