Local groups to share in €1.8m Council funding pot
A TENNIS court in Glanworth for budding stars of future Wimbledon championships was among the projects to benefit when the recipients of a total of €1.8m in Community Funding were announced this week.
Each year, the scheme contributes financial support to hundreds of community and voluntary organisations around the county. Administered by the Council’s eight Municipal Districts, applicants apply for financial assistance under three distinct funds: Capital Fund, Community Contract and Amenity Fund.
Now in its sixth year, the Community Fund Scheme has delivered and enhanced a host of beneficial projects across Cork county.
A Capital Grant of €10,000 was awarded to Glanworth Community Development for a Tennis court and multi-use games area and floodlighting; Allihies Parish Co- Operative Society were allocated €10,000 for a new coastal education hub at the Allihies Copper Mine Museum; Crosshaven Community Association has been allocated €9,976 under the Amenity Grant Scheme towards a new tourist information office in Crosshaven town centre; and Midleton Marketing and Christmas Lights Partnership Ltd. received a grant of €30,000 to maintain and extend the Christmas Festive Lighting and Decorations Scheme in support of businesses in Midleton.
Newly elected Cork County Council Mayor Mary Linehan Foley welcomed the announcement and pointed out that the fund had supported a diverse range of projects and community initiatives.
“Our communities across the County take great pride in their locality and are very proactive in driving local improvements,” she explained.
“I am delighted that Cork County Council can support the wide and varied range of projects that have successfully secured funding this year. More than ever we need our towns and villages to be accessible, attractive and vibrant places,” she added.
Tim Lucey, the Council CEO, described the fund as an opportunity for many community and voluntary groups to avail of direct financial support for their projects.
“This year we made over €1.8million available to communities through our General Municipal Allocation, with over €1.6million of this made available directly through the Community Fund Scheme,” he said.
“This scheme is an opportunity for the many community and voluntary groups across the County to avail of direct financial support for their improvement projects.
“With Project ACT, Cork County Council is committed to supporting our communities in their efforts to enhance and improve the quality of life within our towns and villages and to help communities to reinvigorate our local economies as we emerge from restrictions. Maintaining and continually improving quality of life across our county is a hugely important element to this,” Mr Lucey added.