Local community groups urged to apply for a slice of €235k funding windfall
COMMUNITY groups, sporting bodies and local organisations from Cork County Council’s Kanturk/Mallow district have been invited to apply for funding under a scheme that provides financial support for locally based projects.
Under the local authority’s Municipal District Community Fund scheme, successful applicants will share in a central fund to help offset the cost of development projects within their respective areas.
The funding comes from the district’s general municipal allocation for 2019 of €235,000, similar to the figure set aside for the scheme last year, and will be allocated under three separate streams.
The first of these is the Capital Fund Scheme for infrastructural projects costing more than €20,000 that will improve the range and quality of community-based facilities in an area. The allocation can be used to help fund new community or sports facilities or to upgrade existing ones.
The Amenity Fund element provides funding for schemes costing under €20,000, which can be used for a variety of initiatives such as Tidy Towns projects, festivals, the provision and upgrading of local amenities, the purchase of equipment and improvements to non-commercial buildings.
The Community Contracts element of the initiative offers local Tidy Towns groups an opportunity to work with the authority on projects with a minimum contact value of €1,500 up to €20,000.
Applications under all three elements will be appraised using strict criteria including its social/economic development potential; its strategic nature and relevance to local area plans; and value for money. Each proposal must also demonstrate a clear plan and show the difference it will make to the local community.
The Kanturk/Mallow municipal district officer, Liz Donovan, explained that the application process has been streamlined this year, with the authority only accepting online submissions.
“This will help avoid duplication, which can result in a lot of extra work for officials. Should people encounter difficulties with internet access, they can contact us by phone or call into a Council office for help filling out their applications,” said Ms Donovan.
Online application forms and comprehensive explanatory notes on the process are available at www.yourcouncil.ie.
The final date for receipt of application has been set for 4pm on Friday, February 15.
Ms Donovan urged applicants to familiarise themselves fully with the application process before lodging their submissions.
“Each year there is a huge interest in this scheme from many community and voluntary groups across the district. For this reason, we can only assess application forms that have been fully completed,” she warned.
“We will evaluate all applications on their merit and bring recommendations for funding before councillors for their approval at their March or April district committee meeting,” she added.