New €15M Community Centre Fund announced
A new €15 million capital fund to support community groups for the upgrade and refurbishment of Community Centres was recently announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD. The funding is an investment in both rural and urban communities across the country.
The Community Centres Investment Fund will support community groups with the upgrade and development of their Community Centre facilities. With grants of between €10k and €300K available, funding will be available under 3 categories: Category 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities - €10,000 to €25,000; Category 2: Larger scale projects - €25,001 to €100,000; and Category 3: Major projects- €100,001 to €300,000.
Applications under Category 2 and 3 must include a minimum contribution of 5% of the total project costs from the applicants own funds.
There will be a two-stage application process with applicants asked to register their organisation in advance of the formal application process going live. Registration will open on Tuesday, 3rd May.
Funding is available for capital works such as: Works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities; Energy retrofitting, new windows / doors / heating systems; Upgrades to lighting systems and stage areas; Works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits; Works to improve disability access, as well as essential maintenance works, repairs to roofing, etc.
The funding will also allow for improvements to assist in providing additional or better services to the community, such as Meals for the Elderly and youth facilities. Works to develop Community Centres as social hubs through the development of community cinemas, youth hubs and community libraries, will also be included under the scope of the funding.
ONLINE INFORMATION EVENTS
Applicants need to register as ‘users’ on the portal in advance of the application process opening on Tuesday, 7th June. The closing date for applications is Thursday, 14th July.
The Department will be hosting a number of online information events in May and June 2022 to provide guidance in relation to the application process and details will be released in due course.
Community groups are urged to familiarise themselves with the application process and criteria well in advance of submitting their application. Guidelines and a sample application form are now available at www. gov.ie/drcd