Funding for community facilites

€1.7m has been allocated to County Sligo for various local projects under the Community Recognition Fund which is based on the number of new arrivals located here.

Sligo Leitrim Fine Gael TD, Frank Feighan has welcomed the announcement that the first application window for the Fund is now open.

Applications can be submitted by a local authority to the Department across several application windows, the last of which will close in January 2025.

Projects must be fully delivered by mid-2026, although the rolling nature of the fund’s submission dates, and expenditure requirements means that a mix of projects that are completing across 2025 and 2026 will be sought.

The Community Recognition Fund 2024 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 that are located 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.

The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community.

It 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 significant number of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.

It is essential that projects can commence immediately if a funding application is successful and can be completed within a 12-18 months timeframe.

The possible types of projects that can be funded under the scheme include:

1. Development, enhancement or refurbishment of community or cultural facilities including play areas, walkways, parks, community/sensory gardens, allotments, and recreational areas;

2. Development, enhancement or refurbishment of local club and sports facilities (which are open for use by non members) including facilities such as community swimming pools, changing rooms, toilets, digital aids such as score / information boards etc.;

3. Enhancement to school/ parish facilities which are open to use by all of the community after school hours;

4. Purchase of equipment for local clubs, festivals, community events and organisations e.g. music, arts or sports equipment;

5. Transport infrastructure such as the purchase of community vehicles, bus shelters and attendant information boards; (any vehicle funded must be in good condition and not more than 5 years old)

6. Projects that help address dereliction and/or wider local economic and community development objectives;

7. Purchase and refurbishment of vacant or derelict buildings for community use where a clear need is identified. (purchases can only be made by the local authority).

8. Purchase of land and associated works for the development of community facilities such as play areas/ MUGAs or town parks/ community gardens, recreational areas etc. (purchases can only be made by the local authority).

“I want to acknowledge and thank the Community Team at Sligo County Council who were allocated €1,742,899 under the scheme who may consider hosting a number of information sessions,” said Deputy Feighan.