Cork County Council Opens Expressions of Interest for Community Recognition Fund 2024
Cork County Council Opens Expressions of Interest for Community Recognition Fund 2024
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Minister of State, Joe O’Brien have announced a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund 2024. Cork County Council will receive an allocation of €2,014,691 under the fund.
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 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.
Cork County Council is seeking Expressions of Interest for project proposals from Community Groups in towns and villages that are hosting high levels of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicants. Community groups can apply for between €50,000 and €500,000 in funding for capital projects.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn said,
Mayor
The Community Recognition Fund is a wonderful initiative that will benefit communities for years to come. It will result in new community and cultural facilities like play areas, walkways parks, allotments and recreation areas to name a few. I’m encouraging community groups and sports clubs in towns and villages that have welcomed people from Ukraine and beyond to apply. This initiative 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 considerable number of arrivals from other countries.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council Valerie O’Sullivan added,
Valerie O'Sullivan
Chief Executive
We particularly want to receive expressions of interest from towns and villages that are hosting the highest levels of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicant. These locations will be prioritised for this funding. In Cork County, areas will include Midleton, Youghal, Millstreet, Mallow, Fermoy, Skibbereen, Macroom, Kinsale, Clonakilty, Cobh, Kanturk, Crookstown, Bandon, Buttevant, Bantry, Sherkin Island and Ballylickey.
Projects are required to be shovel ready, be capital in nature and 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.
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.
There will be three separate calls for project proposals in accordance with the application windows outlined below.
• Application Window 1 up to 31st May 2024
• Application Window 2 August 1st to September 30th 2024
• Application Window 3 January 1st to January 31st 2025
If an application is not successful in Window 1, it may be given further consideration in Windows 2 and 3, but the application must satisfy all the qualifying criteria outlined in the Scheme Guidelines.
Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions for the first application window will be accepted online at the link at the bottom of the page.
Please ensure to read the CRF guidelines, available on the portal, in relation to the current scheme.
Completed EOI forms should be submitted online by 5:00pm on Wednesday 15th May 2024.
Queries in relation to the Community Recognition Fund can be made through your local Municipal District Office or by email to CRF@corkcoco.ie