Community Enhancement Programme: €4.5 million to Improve Community Facilities
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, have today announced €4.5 million to support community groups impacted by COVID-19.
The 2021 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) will provide small grants designed to assist in the re-opening of facilities such as community centres, men’s and women’s sheds, parish halls and youth centres.
The grants will range from a few hundred euro up to €10,000, however, exceptions will be made depending on the application.
The funding is to help groups and clubs get back on their feet and may be used to carry out necessary renovations and repairs or to purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies, training equipment and so on.
The CEP, which to date has supported over 8,000 projects, places a focus on supporting groups in disadvantaged areas.
The key theme of this year’s programme is supporting groups as they their re-open facilities which have been closed due to COVID-19.
As the grants are relatively small, this programme may appeal to groups that are not eligible for the €10 million COVID Stability Fund, which was launched last week.
About the Community Enhancement Programme
The CEP was launched for the first time in 2018 by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Between 2018 and the end of 2020 the CEP has funded over 8,000 projects across the country.
The CEP provides vital support to community groups in order to help them improve their facilities. It supports small-scale funding for projects which range from purchasing lawnmowers and IT equipment to minor renovations to buildings. Ultimately the Programme responds to local needs and therefore it also provides some funding towards larger projects where needed.
Application Information and Deadlines
In order to allow flexibility, the Department is not setting a national closing date, but will allow each LCDC to set its own, to best suit its area. The Department will require that all closing dates are no later than 16th July 2021. Groups should check with their LCDC for further details.