Community Recognition Fund 2024
The Community Recognition Fund was introduced in 2023 by the Department of Community & Rural Development (DRCD) to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.
Through the 2023 Scheme, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in cities, towns and villages nationwide and see information on successful applicants here
Based on the continued impacts on communities throughout the country and the need to support these communities in welcoming new arrivals where large numbers of citizens from other countries are currently living, a further €50 million is being provided under the Community Recognition Fund 2024.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (dlr) County Council has been allocated €765,487 by the DRCD to deliver projects over 2025 and 2026, with funding being allocated across 2 application windows as outlined in the table below:
DRCD Application Window 1: Closed
dlr County Council did not seek applications
DRCD Application Window 2: Closed
DRCD Application Window 3: 1st January 2025 - 31st January 2025
dlr County Council will seek applications in November/December 2024
Funding:
Funding is targeted to invest in the communities, villages and towns in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown where the highest level of new arrivals are located including Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicants and where a clear need for investment is identified.
Projects will not be deemed eligible for funding in areas that do not have high levels of new arrivals and the areas identified in dlr to be prioritised for funding include:
- Ballyogan
- Blackrock
- Dundrum
- Sandyford
Projects to be funded will be capital in nature and shall deliver medium to long term benefits for the communities in which they are located.
The delivery of the project must be completed over the course of 2025 and 2026. A minimum spend of 50% of the allocation must be incurred in 2025 and eligible projects will receive funding for capital costs. Projects relating to ongoing operational/running costs are not eligible for funding.
The Council is required to reserve a minimum of 20% and may reserve up to 50% of the allocation for expenditure in 2025 for the third allocation window to respond to changing circumstances in communities.
The minimum level of funding for an individual project is €50,000 with a maximum of €500,000 applying to any single project. Smaller projects cannot be artificially combined to meet the minimum threshold of €50,000. The 2023 Community Recognition Fund provided funding for small scale investment in communities, however the focus of the 2024 Scheme is on capital projects of greater scale and impact.
Local authorities have scope to invest the funding based on local needs, as identified through a “bottom-up” approach based on community engagement.
dlr Community Recognition Fund 2024 Information Sessions:
In-person information evenings will take place on the dates below and information on the funding scheme will also be published through the dlr Public Participation Network and other community channels.
- Groups based in the east side of dlr: Tuesday 27th August, Blackrock Library, Blackrock Village, 6.30p.m
- Groups based in the west side of dlr: Wednesday 28th August, Samuel Beckett Community Facility, Ballyogan, 6.30p.m
Please confirm your attendance for these Community Information Sessions by emailing integration@dlrcoco.ie
Download dlr Community Recognition Fund 2024 Word Application Form
Download dlr Community Recognition Fund 2024 PDF Application Form
Download dlr Community Recognition Fund 2024 Information & Guidelines
Download Department of Rural & Community Development Community Recognition Fund 2024 Scheme Outline
Closing date & Enquiries:
Applicants will be advised that all enquiries in relation to the Community Recognition Fund 2024 should be directed to: integration@dlrcoco.ie / 01 205 4893
Applications in any form (hardcopy or e-mail) should arrive not later than 5.00p.m, Monday 16th September 2024 via email to integration@dlrcoco.ie / or by post to:
Community Recognition Fund 2024,
dlr Local Authority Integration Team, Community & Cultural Development Department, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council,
County Hall, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, A96 K6C9.
integration@dlrcoco.ie / 01 205 4893
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