Expression of Interest

The Department of Rural & Community Development has announced details of a €50 million fund to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution of communities in hosting new arrivals in the county in response to the Ukraine crisis. This fund has been allocated to Local Authorities based on the numbers of new arrivals located there. Kerry County Council has received an allocation of €4,403,073.

The terms of the fund are set out in the “Scheme Outline” document that accompanied the funding announcement and this document forms the basis for the principles for distribution of the fund within Co. Kerry, in particular that the funding is targeted at those communities, villages and towns where the highest levels of New Arrivals are located.

The majority of the available funding will be distributed through a Public Call for Eligible Projects over two specific funding measures:

Measure 1

A fund of approximately €3.3 million will be distributed among Communities, Towns and Villages hosting new arrivals to fund transformative capital projects of scale that will revitalise and enhance the economic and social environment of these areas.

As set out in the Scheme Outline, proposals under this category “must demonstrate that the funding is targeted at, and specifically invested in, those communities, villages and towns where the highest levels of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified.”

Funding allocations will reflect the national allocation model i.e. aligned to pro-rata numbers of new arrivals in each location on the Closing Date for receipt of applications.

Measure 2

A Fund of up to €400,000 will be allocated for small to medium scale capital projects “that will deliver tangible benefits for communities” up to a maximum value of €40,000 per eligible project which are proposed  by community groups, cultural organisations, sporting clubs etc. across the county.

The type of projects eligible for funding under each Measure are as set out in Section D of the Scheme Outline and include:

• 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.

Note that it is a requirement of the scheme to demonstrate the number of new arrivals in the town or village and completed application forms must include these numbers.

The assessment and approval of all projects across Measure 1 and Measure 2 will have regard to a number of factors including:

• Compliance with the terms outlined in Community Recognition Fund Scheme Outline in particular the eligible projects outlined in Section D therein;
• Alignment with the County Development Plan and the Local Economic and Community Plan;
• Ability to complete the project within the timelines prescribed in the Scheme Outline i.e. 60% drawdown of funding in 2023 and 100% drawdown by 2024;
• All appropriate financial, public procurement and accounting rules and regulations must be complied with (Refer also to Section M – Funding Conditions of Scheme Outline);
• Confirmation that the funding has not been used as a co-funding source for  other Government Departments’ Schemes;
• Proposals must demonstrate close collaboration with communities and business interests in the design and delivery of the proposed projects;
• The range, mix, quality and impact of proposed projects, having regard to the available funding;
• Other relevant considerations;

Application Forms for Measure 1 and Measure 2 Projects are available below and completed application forms should be submitted to [email protected] by 5:00pm on Thursday, 2^nd March 2023

Queries in relation to this Fund and the Public Call for Applications may be made by calling 066 7183660 or by emailing [email protected]

• Scheme Outline
• Measure 1 Application Form
• Measure 2 Application Form