The Community Recognition Fund 2023 aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities 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.
Funding is targeted at and specifically invested in those communities, villages and towns where the highest level of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified. Projects situated in areas that do not have high levels of new arrivals will not be deemed eligible.
Projects to be funded will be capital in nature, deliver tangible benefits for the communities in which they are located, and be capable of being delivered over the course of 2023 and 2024. A minimum spend of 60% of the allocation must be incurred in 2023. Eligible projects will receive funding for capital costs, but not for any ongoing operational or running costs.
Local authorities have scope to invest the funding based on their own distinct local needs as identified through a “bottom-up” approach based on community engagement.
However, examples of the type of projects eligible for funding are:
- 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; and
- purchase and refurbishment of buildings and/or the purchase of land for the development of community facilities such as play areas/ MUGAs or town parks/ community gardens, recreational areas etc. for community use where a clear need is identified.
Tipperary County Council have been awarded €997,861 under this funding.
Key Timelines
Deadline for responses to Expression of Interest: 22nd February 2023
Project completion (all elements): 18th October 2024
Final claim and report: 1st November 2024
Tipperary County Council and Tipperary Local & Community Development Committee are now seeking Expressions of Interest from eligible Communities to understand what facilities or infrastructure should be funded under this scheme.
Click here to apply under the Expression of Interest
Click here to book a place on the Community Recognition Fund guidance webinar on Monday February 13th at 6.30 pm in conjunction with Tipperary PPN
Important things to note in submitting Expression of Interest:
- Only towns & villages that are hosting high levels of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicants are eligible for this funding
- All submissions should include as much information as possible including details of any organisation or community group which you represent.
- All submissions are subject to the Data Protection Act (as amended) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (as amended) and the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (as amended).
- Submissions will be accepted until Wednesday 22nd of February at 4pm
- If you have any queries about this funding, please contact your local council office or phone 0818 065 000
Source – https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/crf
