A €15 million fund has been launched in order to upgrade community centres. The announcement was made by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys. According to the Minister, government has divided the funding into three categories:
- Small scale projects/improvements to facilities: €10,000 to €25,000
- Larger scale projects: €25,001 to €100,000
- Major projects: €100,001 to €300,000
The new fund will see community groups in both rural and urban locations in Ireland being eligible to apply for grants between €10,000 and €300,000 for works to community centres. Applications for larger and major works must include a minimum contribution of 5% of the total project costs from the applicants own funds.
The department has confirmed that there will be a two-stage application process with applicants asked to register their organisation in advance of the formal application process going live.
Registration will open on Tuesday, 3 May 2022, with the formal application process itself opening on Tuesday 7 June 2022. The department will be hosting a number of online information events in May and June to provide guidance in relation to the application process.
Announcing her support of the initiative, Minister Humphreys says “we need places for people to meet up, to play sport and engage in all sorts of activities whether it is meals for the elderly, indoor soccer or basketball, or providing a space for the local dramatic society to perform.” She adds that “this new fund is about supporting them to carry out vital upgrade works as well as enhancing the services and amenities they can provide to persons of all ages in their community.”