Thursday, 11 April 2024
Donegal County Council and the Donegal Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) are inviting applications from Community Groups in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants in County Donegal for funding under the Community Recognition Fund for Capital Projects.
The Community Recognition Fund 2024 was launched recently by the Minister of Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphries TD.This Fund 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.
The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It 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 significant number of arrivals from Ukraine.
€50 million is available nationally under the Fund and this is allocated between each local authority based on the number of new arrivals located there. On this basis, the allocation to County Donegal is €3,391,917.
The scheme will provide large capital grants ranging from €50,000 to a maximum of €500,000.
Launching the Scheme Minister Heather Humphries said
“I know communities the length and breadth of the country have really stepped up to the plate in recent months in terms of welcoming families from Ukraine or those seeking asylum from other countries. This funding is about recognising the efforts and the generosity that so many communities have shown during what has been a challenging time for our country.”
Welcoming the fund, Councillor Niamh Kennedy, Chairperson of Donegal LCDC said:
“Donegal LCDC acknowledge the ongoing important contribution Communities throughout the County are making in welcoming and hosting people coming to their areas who are beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants. The Community Response Fund 2024 allocation to the County will result in the delivery of developments and projects in towns and villages which will benefit the entire Community in recognition of the support they have shown.”
The closing date for receipt of applications to the Scheme is 3.00pm on Thursday, 18th July 2024
