Funding call for community groups to repair and improve facilities

Donegal County Council and the Donegal Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) are inviting applications from Community groups in disadvantaged areas for funding under the Local Enhancement Programme for running costs and/or Capital expenditure:

The Department of Rural and Community Affairs launched the Community Support Fund, with a national allocation of €7 million.  This fund will support community and voluntary groups in disadvantaged areas as follows:

• Small Grant (up to €500) for non-pay running costs such as utility bills (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges) or other non-pay operating costs for e.g. rental/lease costs, insurance bills during period 1^st June 2023-30th May 2025.
• Small Grant (€500-€1,000) to carry out minor repairs and improvements to community facilities or to support the purchase of equipment.
• Large Grant (€5,000-€10,000) to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to community facilities or to support the purchase of equipment.

Launching the Scheme in late 2024, the then Minister Heather Humphries said: “Supporting local communities to shape their future is a key focus of the government’s rural development policy, Our Rural Future. The funding I am announcing today will benefit every single county and ensure that important small scale, ground-up projects can be delivered by local communities for local communities”.

Cllr. Martin McDermott, Chairperson of Donegal LCDC, welcomed the Fund and encouraged all Community and Voluntary Groups in the County to apply stating:

“Donegal LCDC value the enormous contribution Community and Voluntary Groups from every sector make to their Communities.  We welcome the Scheme which will assist groups to meet day to day expenses and/or upgrade or improve their facilities to allow them to continue to operate and grow”.

Closing date:

The closing date for receipt of applications to the Scheme is 3.30pm on Tuesday, 25^th February 2025.

Further details and link to the application form are available at: https://www.donegalcoco.ie/en/services/community/funding-programmes-and-grants/local-enhancement-programme-2025/