I recently announced the Community Centres Investment Fund. This new capital fund, with a budget of €15m, will support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with the upgrade and refurbishment of existing Community Centres. This is an investment in both rural and urban communities across the country.
The fund will assist with projects such as:
- Energy retrofitting projects that reduce an organisation's carbon footprint;
- Works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits;
- Works to improve disability access;
- Works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities; and
- Essential maintenance.
Funding will be available under 3 Strands, with grants of between €10k and €300k available:
- Strand 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities €10,000 - €25,000.
- Strand 2: Larger scale projects - €25,001 to €100,000.
- Strand 3: Major projects. €100,001 to €300,000.
I expect the fund to be open to applications shortly. Guidelines and application forms will be available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd.