Deadline: 23 February 2024
Submissions are now open for the Local Enhancement Programme to provide locally based community and voluntary groups in disadvantaged urban and rural areas across Co. Louth with funding for minor capital works and improvements to their facilities, and the purchase of equipment for community use.
Department of Rural and Community Development’s Local Enhancement Programme will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with funding to conduct necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, and to purchase equipment for example tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies, and training equipment etc.
Facilities improvement works may also include but are not limited to; improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.
The scheme is designed to ensure local priorities are identified and met, to improve and enhance community facilities for all. It is administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area.
Funding Information
- Department of Rural and Community Development has allocated €195,412.48 capital funding to Louth LCDC. €32,568.75 capital funding is ring-fenced for Women’s Groups such as Sheds, Groups, Clubs, Networks and other such groups or projects aimed at providing social networks for women.
What costs are eligible for funding?
- The following provides a non-exhaustive list of projects that could receive capital funding under the programme:
- Development/renovation of community centres
- Accessibility improvements
- Community amenities
- Development of youth clubs or facilities
- Development of sports/recreation facilities
- Improvements to town parks and common areas and spaces
- CCTV equipment
- Public realm improvements
- Streetscaping
- Development of play/recreation spaces
- Improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs
- Purchase of equipment
- Purchase of laptops, tablets
- Maintenance of premises, including painting and repairs
- Capital work to increase biodiversity, or to reduce the carbon footprint of a facility
- Cleaning
- The scheme is designed to ensure local priorities are identified and met, so as to improve and enhance community facilities for all.
- Women’s Groups will also be entitled to apply for the general funding available for community groups.
What is not eligible for funding?
- The following expenditure is not eligible for funding:
- Any project not in keeping with the ethos of the Programme
- Employment costs
- Legal fees
- Project management fees
- Purchase of lands or buildings
- Feasibility studiesPrivate or commercial operations
- Costs which are being paid for by another funder or department.
- Utility Bills
- General operating costs
Target Groups
- This funding is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantage as identified in the LECP.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Any not-for-profit community or voluntary group can apply.
- Commercial organisations and individuals are not eligible for funding.
For more information, visit Louth County Council.
