Community development increases not enough, says Irish Rural Link
While there were some positive things in this month’s budget, Irish Rural Link says it is concerned about the level of funding allocated to Rural Development (€192 million) and Community Development (€260 million).
“Although these represent increases on last year’s budget, they may not go far enough,” it said in a statement.
Tipperary early school leaver breaks into niche work with horses and children with special needs
Decades after leaving school early, Catherine Foley from Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary, went back to education, became a therapeutic riding instructor and opened her own business.
Catherine received support from the national Back To Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) and Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) both made available in her area by South Tipperary Development Company. She believes it is never too late to return to education and to start your own business.
RTÉ hit the multi-annual funding jackpot, so why can’t we?
In her speech at The Wheel’s Summit in Croke Park, Dublin, on May 28, Elaine Teague, CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland, focused on four words beginning with the letter ‘c’.
Minister Calleary promises support to “forgotten” area in Limerick city
The Limerick city community of Ballinacurra Weston was “forgotten” in the past by the state, said Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, when he visited the area today. While he could not undo the past, he said the community had the government’s support today.
Recently, feuding in the area between criminals has seen people suffer injuries and put Limerick back under a national spotlight.
2 days left to sign crucial petition supporting LEADER
The EU must not neglect rural areas and policymakers must put Community Led Local Development (CLLD) at the heart of the continent’s long-term rural development policy.
That’s the message coming from Local Development Companies and supporters of LEADER countrywide as the deadline looms to sign a petition (which takes 1 minute) demanding that CLLD be made central to Europe’s long term rural development policy.
€7 million fund to assist thousands of community groups nationwide
€7 million in funding is to be provided to community groups under the Department of Rural and Community Development Local Enhancement Programme 2025.
Increased funding for 400 community organisations
An additional €3 million funding has been allocated to support community services organisations from January 2025 under the Community Services Programme (CSP).
Clann Credo has loaned €215 million to community groups since 1996
Irish social finance organisation Clann Credo has provided over €215 million in finance to community and voluntary groups, sports clubs, climate action initiatives, social enterprises as well as social housing in Ireland since 1996.
203 community groups to receive funding for local trails
More than €1 million in funding has been announced today for the development and improvement of 517 walking trails around the country.
48 new vehicles to be provided for essential services
More than €2.1 million has been allocated to provide 48 vehicles for a number of services including cancer care, transport for people with mobility issues, and to deliver meals on wheels to the elderly and other vulnerable people.
€2.6m to support Town Centre First Projects
A funding boost of €2.6 million has been announced by the Department of Rural and Community Development to support a wide range of Town Centre First projects across Ireland.
Minister reminds community organisations of funding deadline
The closing date for applications to the Community Centre Investment Fund has been extended to 3pm this Thursday, September 5
Government to expand Empowering Communities Programme
The Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) is to be expanded to two new areas: Tallaght-Jobstown and Roscommon-Castlereagh, with funding for community engagement workers in both areas.
€30,000 grants scheme open for Water Heritage Day
The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is encouraging community groups to apply under the ‘Water Heritage Day Grants Scheme 2024’ to celebrate Water Heritage Day on August 25.
€550,000 funding announced for library supports
The funding will provide a range of library equipment to support older people and people with disabilities. It will also enable an investment in assistive technology for libraries to support people with visual and hearing impairments.
€20 million fund available for community centre upgrades
Grants of up to €100,000 will be provided under the Community Centre Investment Fund to upgrade existing Community Centres. Eligible works include: accessibility works, refurbishments to kitchens and toilets, and energy efficiency upgrades.
€16 million investment in Ireland’s great outdoors
A total of 69 projects nationwide will benefit from a €16 million funding investment in outdoor recreation projects.
New bursary launched to support rural development students
€60,000 bursary will support six Masters students at University College Dublin, University of Galway, and University College Cork.
68 towns to receive funding for Town Teams
The first ever Town Team Support Fund will provide €10,000 funding each to 68 towns across Ireland, it was announced this week.
Island’s brilliant example of how community workers change lives
“It’s probably the best project I’ve seen here in 20 years,” says development worker John McCafferty.
Record €164 million funding for rural towns and villages
A record €164 million funding allocation has been announced for 30 rural regeneration projects around the country, including the redevelopment of a former convent, and the provision of new community hubs and seaside boardwalks.
Funding granted for new public plazas, markets and town parks all over rural Ireland
Funding of over €20 million has been granted for 82 projects in rural towns and villages around Ireland under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
€25 million boost for library services
Projects will include the transformation of an old church in Co Louth, and a former cinema in Co Sligo into new state-of-the-art public libraries and community facilities
Record €40 million funding to upgrade rural laneways
A record funding allocation of €40 million has been announced this week for repairs and improvement works on non-public rural roads and laneways under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).
€30 million funding provided for 12 new community centres
12 projects in areas that currently lack a community centre will receive between €1 million and €6 million to build brand new facilities.
€400,000 funding to upgrade 43 walking trails
A funding boost of €408,000 will be provided to resurface, re-route and improve 43 rural outdoor trails across 14 counties under the Government’s Walks Scheme.
€50 million fund to support communities welcoming refugees
A further €50 million has been allocated to the Community Recognition Fund, which was introduced last year to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.
‘Town Teams’ of local residents to help develop Ireland’s rural towns and villages
A new €4.5 million funding package will include funding to develop a network of Town Teams that will “make their area a better place to live, work, visit and invest in”.
Vacant buildings to be transformed into community facilities
A former bakery, a vacant garda station and a disused schoolhouse are among 24 derelict and vacant sites nationwide that will be given a new lease of life thanks to a €4.5 million funding boost.
152 projects to benefit from €6.2 million funding
The 2023 CLÁR Programme is to provide a total of €6.2 million in funding for 152 schools, community and sports projects nationwide.
Funding of €174,934 has been specifically provided for four projects on offshore islands in counties Galway and Mayo.
Pilot programme will see outdoor recreation officers employed in six counties
A total of €2 million in funding has been announced by the Department of Rural and Community Development to develop outdoor recreation at a county level.
€6 million to give community groups “a helping hand”
– Thousands of organisations nationwide to receive assistance, with €1 million for women’s groups
New €5 million funding boost for rural sports clubs
The allocations will be used for projects such as new spectator stands, astro-turf facilities, upgrades of clubhouses and changing facilities, ramps and other accessibility measures for those with mobility issues, floodlights, and community amenities such as walking tracks.
€45,000 for social enterprises that show their impact – Deadline this Sunday, Dec 10
The Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) is running a competition with €45,000 in prizes for social enterprises that best demonstrate their social impact. The application process was designed to be as straight-forward and user-friendly as possible and the deadline is coming fast – Sunday, December 10th.
Dormant Accounts Fund to provide €47.6 million for disadvantaged communities
The Dormant Accounts Fund will provide over €11.3 million to the Department of Rural and Community Development for Rethink Ireland, social inclusion, and other measures geared at addressing disadvantage
€2.3 million funding for 50 new outdoor projects
50 new projects will each receive funding of up to €50,000 each to bring them to a shovel-ready stage.
“People in communities are the heroes, we are just a bridge” – Anna Shakespeare, Pobal CEO
Pobal is celebrating 30 years in operation this year. It has expanded rapidly and now has over 700 staff in 12 office locations around the country. In 2022, it distributed €901m on behalf of government departments to thousands of community groups.
It’s CEO, Anna Shakespeare, is clear, however, that the agency’s 30th anniversary celebrations are not about Pobal as such, but about the communities they serve.
Sixth tranche of funding to assist community and voluntary groups with energy costs
The sixth and final tranche of funding under the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) is to provide a further €78,000 to 30 community and voluntary organisations with energy costs, it was announced today.
Eligible groups urged to apply for PEACEPLUS funding
Organisations in Northern Ireland and border counties in the Republic are being encouraged to apply for funding to provide shared spaces under the new PEACEPLUS Programme.
€2 million CLÁR funding to provide minibuses, ambulances and more for rural communities
A lifeboat in Co Kerry, a search and rescue vehicle in Co Mayo and a community ambulance for counties Westmeath and Roscommon are just some of the vital modes of transport to be funded under the CLÁR Programme.
Dormant Accounts Fund provided €54.6 million in 2022
The recently published 2022 Dormant Accounts Fund Annual Report revealed that a total of €54.6 million in funding was spent across ten Government departments last year.
Government urged to increase child benefit by €50 to alleviate child poverty
At the launch of its Budget 2024 briefing today, Social Justice Ireland called for a monthly increase of €50 in child benefit payments for all.
Funding for three more projects granted under Community Development Programme
Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien, today (Monday, May 29) announced funding for three additional projects under the Community Development Pilot Programme, and also officially opened the Limerick Traveller Network and Exchange House Ireland HUB.
A further €438,000 in funding granted to community and voluntary organisations
The latest tranche of funding under the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) has provided an additional €438,000 to 166 organisations nationwide.
The payments provide a one-off contribution towards increased energy bills for 2022, and will issue to the organisations immediately.
Public consultation begins on Ireland’s first National Philanthropy Policy
A proposed policy that intends to encourage and grow philanthropy in Ireland was announced this week by Minister for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien.
Ireland’s First National Philanthropy Policy is being developed by the Government in collaboration with key stakeholders. The public consultation phase of the policy was launched on May 23 at The Wheel’s Annual Summit.
2023 calendar of capital investment schemes published
The Department of Rural and Community Development has announced details of when the main capital investment schemes will be opening in 2023.
New initiative to transform vacant buildings into community facilities
A new €13 million fund launched today (Monday, March 27) aims to tackle vacancy and dereliction in rural Ireland.
The funding, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, will see dozens of old, unused buildings transformed into multi-purpose community facilities.
Funding granted for Cherry Orchard Empowering Communities Programme
Minister for Community Development, Integration, and Charities, Joe O’Brien yesterday (Tuesday, March 7) announced the expansion of the Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) to the Cherry Orchard area.
The programme aims to empower local communities to craft their own response to area-based poverty, social exclusion and the resulting consequences, with the support of the relevant Local Community Development Committee (LCDC).
€2.4 million funding boost for walking trails
Funding of €2.4 million has been granted to develop 70 new walking trails across the country.
The development forms part of a planned major expansion of the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Walks Scheme, which will see the number of outdoor trails increase from 80 to 150 over the next two years.
Funding announced to help community and voluntary groups pay energy bills
A funding scheme to support 134 community and voluntary groups with their energy bills was announced this week.
Under the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS), small grants are provided to community groups, development associations, and volunteer-led organisations.
€50 million fund to support communities hosting refugees
– Major initiative to support communities that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries
– Funding for sports clubs, community organisations, transport infrastructure and local groups
– Every local authority in the country to benefit
Pobal’s new Strategic Plan aims to support social inclusion and improve outcomes
A new Strategic Plan to support social inclusion, enhance community development and combat social disadvantage has been launched by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.
€180 million funding available under new LEADER programme
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today announced the details of the €180 million LEADER Programme for 2023-2027.
SVP sees budget impact on families, students, carers, people with disabilities and homeless people
The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) says that while there are some welcome aspects to Budget 2023, the one-off measures won’t stem a rise in poverty.
Irish Traveller Movement welcomes plan to see five times more Travellers enter third level
– However, only “paltry increase” in funds for Traveller and Roma accommodation
€12.5 million funding boost for 600 community centres
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today announced funding of over €12.5 million for the upgrade and development of almost 600 Community Centres nationwide.
New Community Centre Fund part of “unprecedented” €150m package
Registration is now open and the deadline for applications is June 7th for community groups who wish to apply for funding though the Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF), a new fund which will see €15m invested this year in community buildings across the country.
Disability Federation joins campaign for insurance reform
The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) representing over 100 voluntary disability groups, has joined a campaign calling for insurance reform.
€680k is going to 50 plucky social enterprises
€680,000 has been shared among 50 organisations under the Awareness Raising Initiative for Social Enterprise (ARISE) scheme. The scheme is designed to raise awareness of social enterprises and their positive impact in communities.
€1 million in Capital Funding for Social Enterprises
247 organisations were approved today to share €1m from the new Social Enterprises Capital Grants Scheme. The funds will be spent on everything from swimming pools to childcare to community centres and foodbank centres.
Dubs invited to ‘Festival of Fundraising’ starting Sept 20
A ‘Festival of Fundraising’ opens in Dublin, on September 20th. It is aimed at members of groups that are involved in Dublin City Public Participation Network (PPN).
Humphreys urges other towns to follow Cootehill’s example
While the closing date for receipt of applications to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme has passed for this year, plan now for the next round of funding. Community-based websites qualify, as Cootehill has proven.
North Kerry village forges ahead with unique attraction
The LEADER Programme provides funding to support community-led rural development. Here we feature one of the thousands of successful projects, to give a flavour of the kind of ideas that win over the funding adjudicators.
€70m in LEADER funds for 2021-’22 – announced today
– Announcement today by Ministers Humphreys and McConalogue
– Overall LEADER allocation to increase by €50m following EU support
– Funding will support rural communities and private enterprises in Covid-19 recovery
– Funding welcomed by ILDN
16 days extra for Tidy Towns groups to apply for grants up to €1,000
The deadline has been extended until Friday, March 19th, for Tidy Towns committees to apply for grants of up to €1,000 in “top-up funding” to help them prepare for this year’s competition.
While the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition was cancelled in 2020, the national organisers promised it would go ahead this year.
Government funds keeping Lucan disability group and others operational
Joe O’Brien, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, on November 12, announced funding of €51m from the Dormant Accounts Fund “to address disadvantage across the country”.
The funding has increased. Four years ago, the spend was €28.5m.
Social enterprise sector has a new representative body from today
CAPTION: A year ago – last July 19 – the Government’s first National Social Enterprise Policy was launched and, in November, the first National Social Enterprise Conference (run by the Department of Rural and Community Development) took place in Croke Park. Pictured among the attendees are two of the founders of a new body launched today called ‘Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland’ (Seri) – Larry O’Neill, CEO of South Dublin County Partnership and Senan Cooke, author of ‘The Enterprising Community’. They are pictured here with Bernie Walshe from Sunflower Recycling. (PHOTO BY: Changing Ireland).
One Minister, two Departments: Community in Cabinet
In 1997, “Community” became a named function of a government department for the first time. It has remained in usage ever since. So how come Minister Heather Humphreys is responsible for two departments, one including Community? Allen Meagher reports:
Meath River Rescue is speedier and safer with new LEADER-funded equipment
Last year, 133 people drowned, the majority of them men in tragic circumstances.
When a drowning occurs, bodies are usually recovered thanks in no small part to the many voluntary search, rescue and recovery groups.
Meath River Rescue is one such group and it has twice benefitted from LEADER funding.
Tánaiste promises continued funding to border groups post-Brexit
Regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s vote in Westminster, community groups north and south will continue to be supported, promised Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney.
Helping Hands: Communities out in force for funding advice
Many community organisations rely on funding to keep the lights on, but grant application processes can be overly complex. What if there were information sessions to help with that?
How does the DRCD really spend its money?
The Department of Rural and Community Development has the smallest budget of any government department, but what does it do with its allocation?
A Chinese hero and the museum that woke the dragon
The Michael Davitt Museum may be small, but it’s impressed an unlikely international supporter: China. The deserving community museum recently received department funding to further its reach.
The real-life value of Community Enhancement funding
When it comes to large funding programmes, it can be hard to see beyond the big numbers to the actual impact they make on communities. It’s only when you look at the nitty gritty that their true value reveals itself.
Credit unions most reliable financial institutions in Ireland?
It’s been 10 years since the banks were bailed out, but credit unions are still unfairly tarnished. This year’s Credit Union Summer School in University College Cork sought to clear their name.
Who are the 6 winners of the 2018 Resilient Communities Fund
In an age where community-based solutions can solve national problems, Social Innovation Fund is offering a helping hand. At this year’s Ploughing Championships, we were introduced to the six groups that the organisation is supporting in their efforts.
LEADER milestone: 1,000th project proposal approved for funding
As LEADER reaches a special milestone, we look at the project that got it there.
Budget 2019: €62m increase in Rural and Community Development budget
As the government announces the details of Budget 2019, what has been allocated to the Department, and where else will communities see increases?
Further perspectives on ‘Alignment’
– Excerpts from reports by Dr Brendan O’Keeffe, Niall Crowley, Debra Mountford, Seán O’Riordan:
A €3.6 billion error? Here’s what we could do with that money
It’s all rather curious. Ireland is €3.6 billion better off than we thought.
Update in relation to former CDPs and the LCDP
The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government this afternoon released figures to ‘Changing Ireland’ that show the number of projects funded under the Local and Community Development Programme.
INTERVIEW – Minister Carey says ‘no’ to national forum proposal, but ‘yes’ to some local proposals
‘Changing Ireland’ interviewed Minister Pat Carey yesterday on a range of topics, including a key question over changing structures for State support for communities within the framework of the Local and Community Development Programme.
2 PROGRAMMES TO BE MERGED – CURRAN IN CAVAN
The Community Development Programme, first established in 1990, is to be absorbed into a new unnamed programme that also incorporates the Local Development and Social Inclusion Programme.
8 WAYS COMMUNITY GROUPS CAN SAVE MONEY
Every tabloid magazine in the known universe has published articles this year about “getting through” the downturn/depression. Here are our ideas for non-profit organisations.More ideas welcome. Please leave your comments/suggestions below:1) Instead of paying an...
Cutbacks to CE places reversed
Volunteers, workers and SIPTU mounted a successful campaign to have cuts to Community Employment Schemes reversed. At a time of rising unemployment, the Schemes need to be expanded if anything. €10m was due to be cut. Thankfully, the CE schemes will survive for now....
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