Expressions of interest sought for Community Recognition Fund

Cork County Council is seeking expressions of interest for project proposals from community groups in towns and villages that are hosting high levels of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicants.

With a further €50 million in funding announced under the Community Recognition Fund 2024 on Friday, Cork County Council will receive an allocation of €2,014,691 under the fund. The allocation for Waterford is €1,436,394; Limerick City and County Council has been awarded €1,400,378, with €1,465,434 being allocated to County Tipperary.

With towns like Fermoy, Midleton and Mallow, amongst those hosting the highest levels of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicant, the fund 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 funding is specifically targeted at projects in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants (‘new arrivals’) including towns identified for the rapid build homes programme.

Community groups can apply for between €50,000 and €500,000 in funding for capital projects, with the fund targeted at supporting the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community.

“The Community Recognition Fund is a wonderful initiative that will benefit communities for years to come,” Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn said. “It will result in new community and cultural facilities like play areas, walkways parks, allotments and recreation areas to name a few. I’m encouraging community groups and sports clubs in towns and villages that have welcomed people from Ukraine and beyond to apply.”

“This initiative is separate in its objectives and scope to any other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the considerable number of arrivals from other countries.”

Projects are required to be shovel ready, be capital in nature and deliver medium-long term benefits for the communities in which they are located and be capable of being delivered over the course of 2025 and 2026.

For projects over €200,000 additional information must be provided at application stage giving further details on the needs identified in the location, the engagement and collaboration that resulted in the selection of the location and specific project and the capacity of the community to progress the proposed project.

DEADLINE

Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions for the first application window will be accepted online via Cork County Council’s web portal - see www.corkcoco.ie for full details.

Completed EOI forms should be submitted online by 5pm on Wednesday, 15th May. Queries can be made through your local Municipal District Office or by email to CRF@corkcoco.ie