Our Rural Future: Community Recognition Fund 2024
Final Application Window Open
Kildare County Council is pleased to announce the final application window for the Community Recognition Fund 2024 is now open, providing a last opportunity for community groups and organisations to benefit from this significant funding initiative.
In March 2024, Kildare County Council launched details of the 2024 Community Recognition Fund, a government-led program aimed at supporting local communities in recognition of their contribution in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries. As part of this initiative, Kildare was allocated €830,007 to finance a range of community projects throughout the county.
To date, a number of deserving projects in Kildare have successfully secured funding through this scheme. We are now seeking expressions of interest for the final phase of applications. This is a unique opportunity for communities across the county to gain financial support for initiatives that are capital in nature, will benefit local areas and enhance community facilities.
Community groups, organisations, and relevant stakeholders are encouraged to submit their applications during this final window to ensure consideration for funding.
The possible types of projects that can be funded under the scheme include:
- development, enhancement or refurbishment of community or cultural facilities including play areas, walkways, parks, community/sensory gardens including communication boards, 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;
- purchase of equipment for local clubs, festivals, community events and organisations e.g. music, arts or sports equipment;
- transport infrastructure such as the purchase of community vehicles, bus shelters and attendant information boards;
- 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 expression of interest process will be competitive and applications from areas that have the highest number of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries will be eligible. In addition, demonstration of local needs and gaps in service provision will be considered when selecting projects. The successful projects will be capital in nature, will address needs in their areas and will deliver medium-long term benefits for the entire community.
Interested groups should consider their respective project requirements, projected costs, planning dependencies, and demonstrate how their project will benefit the community. Projects must be achievable within the allowed timeframes.
Other details of the Scheme:
- A minimum spend of 50% of the expenditure must be incurred by 10th October 2025.
- All projects must be fully completed with funding drawn down by 9th October 2026.
- The minimum level of funding for an individual project is €50,000 up to a maximum of €500,000.
- The funding should not be used to fund or co-fund existing financial commitments from any Government Scheme.
- National Procurement Guidelines and DPER Circular 13/2014 must be adhered to in respect of each project funded under the funding proposal, and confirmation of this will form part the Department’s control regime for the Fund.
To be considered under this fund, an expression of interest form must be completed for the proposed project and submitted to: communityfund@kildarecoco.ie by Friday, 13th December 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
See Expression of Interest form and scheme details below.