What is the Community Recognition Fund?
The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €636,206 was allocated for some 27 projects countywide. Based on the continued impacts on communities, the Department of Rural and Community Development allocated a further €1,055,308 to Offaly under the Community Recognition Fund 2024.
Of this fund, €702,000 was allocated to 11 projects under Window 1. The following towns were allocated funding for projects under Window 1: Tullamore (4), Birr (2), Banagher (3), Edenderry (1), Geashill (1).
Funding under Window 2 is being combined with Window 3 in the amount of the remaining €300,542 which will be allocated in January 2025. Priority will be given to projects which are in towns with significant numbers of new arrivals and to communities that have not yet received any support via the Window 1 allocation.
Who can apply?
Community groups and organisations and the local authority itself in conjunction with or on behalf of the community.
What areas can apply?
Funding is targeted at communities, villages, and towns where the highest levels of new arrivals are located or areas that have seen an increase in new arrivals. Under the Department’s guidelines, only new arrivals currently residing in communities can be counted and not projected or planned arrivals.
Under Window 3, proposals from the following areas will be prioritised:
- Portarlington
- Clara
- Daingean
Applications from other areas may be considered if it can be demonstrated that there is a high level of new arrivals living in the area.
How much can you apply for?
The minimum level of funding for an individual project is €50,000.
Smaller projects cannot be artificially combined to meet the minimum threshold of €50,000.
What can be funded?
The types 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 clubs 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; (any vehicle funded must be in good condition and not more than 5 years old)
- Projects that help address dereliction and/or wider local economic and community development objectives
- Purchase of land or vacant buildings in conjunction with the local authority to develop community facilities 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).
What is not funded?
The following is not eligible for funding:
- Ongoing operational or running costs.
- Consultancy type fees e.g. solicitor fees, engineering fees
- Projects with no community benefit.
- Projects located in areas with no or low levels of new arrivals living in them.
How do I apply?
Applications are made through our online portal at submit.com.
You will find the link here https://submit.link/3bV
If your group or organisation does not have an account, then you will need to set one up. You can save a draft of the application and come back to it at another stage, but it must be submitted by the deadline of 4pm on Friday, 10th January 2025. We will not accept applications still in draft format after this date. All communication will be through this portal which will send you emails with updates.
What do I need to include with the application?
- A quotation for the project. If the project includes more than one element, include a quotation for each element of the project.
- The X-Y coordinates of where the proposed project will be based. A Simple Guide How to find X Y Co-ordinates is included in the application process.
- Proof of the group’s ownership of the land or a lease agreement with the owner for at least 5 years from the date of final payment of grant aid or commissioning of the project, whichever is longer.
- Grant of planning permission if required.
- Where there is doubt as to whether planning permission is required or not a section 5 exempted development certificate should be included indicating that the development is exempt from planning permission.
We applied previously so can we apply again?
Any community group or organisation in an area with high levels of new arrivals living there can apply.
Groups that have not previously been funded may be prioritised over groups that have been allocated funding previously.
If you were previously unsuccessful with your application and wish to apply again you must make a new application with the required documentation.
What is the deadline to apply?
The deadline to apply through submit.com and to upload any required documentation is strictly 4pm on Friday 10th January 2025.
How will the application be assessed?
Inevitably we will receive more applications than we can fund, therefore we will have to score the applications. We will be looking at the following:
- Number of ‘new arrivals’ living in your town/village
- Previous funding provided under Community Recognition Fund 2023 and Window 1 of Community Recognition Fund 2024
- Priorities/rationale for project
- Value for Money
- Community Need and Benefit
- Realistic Timelines and Realistic Costs
- Capacity of group to successfully deliver project
- Planning and Consent issues
- Views of the local MD office staff
- Public accessibility to the facility/service to be provided
- Availability of other funding streams – LEADER/Climate Action
- Other Considerations
When will I find out if we have been successful?
The applications will be assessed by an evaluation committee and shortlisted. These shortlisted applications will be submitted to the Department of Rural and Community Development at the end of January 2025 for their approval. We anticipate that the Department will notify us of the successful applications in March / April 2025 and we will contact you then.
What happens if my project is successful?
- The group will be required to accept the provisional offer of the grant and sign a funding agreement.
- You will then need to carry out the procurement process i.e. seeking quotes in writing from at least 5 suppliers.
- Once the procurement details have been uploaded and reviewed by us you will be approved to proceed with the works if we are satisfied that all is in order.
- No works should take place until this formal approval is given.
- Once you have carried out the works you will be invited to drawdown the grant and upload the following:
- Invoices & receipts for all expenditure
- Evidence of payment via bank statement showing expenditure
- Photographs (before / after) of completed works
- A completed case study (by Offaly County Council) detailing the work carried out and the benefit to the community
- You must display a permanent Acknowledgement of Funding Sign to be erected at an appropriate location at the project site
- A site visit will be arranged to inspect the works and this sign
- The grant may be drawn down in stages, however all of the grant must be drawn down by 30/06/2026.
Please ensure that you have read the Information for Applicants Booklet before starting your application.