Community Recognition Fund 2024

Eligible Projects

Projects to be funded will be capital in nature, 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. A minimum spend of 50% of the allocation must be incurred in 2025. Eligible projects will receive funding for capital costs, but not for any ongoing operational or running costs. 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.

The minimum level of funding for an individual project is €50,000 with a maximum of €500,000 applying. Smaller projects cannot be artificially combined to meet the minimum threshold of €50,000 – while the 2023 scheme provided funding for small scale investment in clubs and communities (e.g. for small scale equipment), the focus of the 2024 scheme is on projects of greater scale and impact. 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 in line with the terms and conditions attached to the funding. The DRCD has advised that a maximum of €500,000 can be exceeded in very exceptional cases based on the provision of a business case from the relevant local authority.

Type of projects eligible for funding are:

• development, enhancement or refurbishment of community or cultural facilities including play areas, walkways, parks, community/sensory gardens, allotments, and recreational areas;
• development, enhancement or refurbishment of local club and sports facilities including facilities such as community swimming pools, changing rooms, toilets, digital aids such as score / information boards etc.;
• enhancement to school/parish facilities which are open to use by all of the community after school hours;
• 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)
• purchase equipment for local clubs, festivals, community events and organisations e.g. music, arts or sports equipment;
• projects that help address dereliction and/or wider local economic and community development objectives;
• purchase and refurbishment of vacant or derelict buildings for community use where a clear need is identified.
• 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 must only be administered by the local authority).

The DRCD has advised that this funding should not be used as a co-funding source for any other scheme operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development or any other Government Department, nor should this funding be used as a co-funding source for any other project funded under CRF 2023.

How to apply

The initial engagement is through an Expressions of Interest and this can be submitted online using the following link.

Proposed project details within the identified areas should be submitted online by close of business on 12th May 2024.

Please note project will be assessed based on the information provided in the Expression of Interest (EOI) and the eligibility criteria. Priority shall be given to projects located in communities with the highest level of new arrivals and where there is a clear need for investment identified. Consideration will be given to the distribution of funding under the 2023 Community Recognition Fund. Ability to be of benefit to the wider community and delivery within the required deadlines is essential. The award of funding will be the decision of the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Interested groups should consider the requirements of the project, possible costs involved and plan their application carefully.  Projects need to have accurate costings, realistic in terms of time and deadlines and all necessary planning consents, land ownerships consents and any match funding requirements in place. The funding allocation will be a competitive process by the DRCD and Expressions of Interest will be short-listed by the Council based on the details submitted.

Where there are a number of applications received from areas under the EOI process, priority will be afforded to the project that has demonstrated in the EOI submission that the project has relevant consents, match funding and permissions already in place and a clear need for investment identified. There must be high levels of community support and evidence of engagement and support for the project from across the community.

Information Days

In order to assist Communities who may wish to engage in the funding for projects in the areas outlined above, the following information events are scheduled at the following locations and times.

Monday 29th April 2024

• Newcastle West Municipal District Office, Aras William Smith O Brien, Gortboy, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, V42 EH73 10:30hrs-12:30hrs
• Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District, Áras Seán Finn, New Line Road, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, V94 HK1V 14:00hrs-15:00hrs

Tuesday 30th April

• Kilmallock Municipal District, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, V35 K497 10:30hrs-12:30hrs & 14:00hrs-16:00hrs

Wednesday 1st May 2024

• Corporate Headquarters, Limerick City and County Council, Merchants Quay, Limerick, V94 EH90 10:30hrs–12:30 hrs
• Limerick City and County Council, Dooradoyle Road, Dooradoyle, Limerick, V94 WV78 14:00hrs-16:00 hrs

For more information visit Community Recognition Fund.

For further information please contact:

Email: CRF@limerick.ie
Phone: 061 556000