Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys and Minister Joe O’Brien launch 2024 Community Recognition Fund

• further €50 million in funding to support communities that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries
• funding proposals to be developed in consultation with local communities
• brings the total investment under the Community Recognition Fund to €100 million

The Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys together with her colleague Minister Joe O'Brien have today (15 March 2024) announced a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund.

The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced last year to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.

Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in supporting cities, towns and villages nationwide that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries.

Under today’s announcement, a further €50 million is being provided again to deliver projects over 2024 and 2025.

Local authorities, in collaboration with communities, will be funded to develop projects that will deliver long term benefits to those living in the areas selected.

Projects that will be funded include:

• development or refurbishment of community or cultural facilities including play areas, walkways, parks, community/sensory gardens, allotments, and recreational areas
• development or refurbishment of local club and sports facilities
• 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
• transport infrastructure such as community vehicles

In announcing the funding today, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Minister Humphreys said:

Local authorities can submit funding proposals to the Department of Rural and Community Development in phases, which will allow them to respond to changing circumstances during the year.

Also speaking today, Minister O’Brien said:

The €50 million has been allocated across all local authorities based on the number of new arrivals located there (allocations available below).

Minister Humphreys concluded by saying:

The department has published the full details of the scheme (including funding allocations) and local authorities are now encouraged to commence engagement with local communities to develop impactful and beneficial community projects in areas with the highest identified level of need.

The Department of Rural and Community Development was established to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland.

Its focus is on strengthening community resilience and social cohesion, supporting communities so that they are empowered to face current and future challenges.

The Community Recognition Fund 2024 aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.

The funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants.

The Fund will support the development of facilities that will be used by all members of the community. It is separate in its objectives and scope to any other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of arrivals from Ukraine.

€50 million is available under the Fund and this was allocated between each local authority based on the number of ‘new arrivals’ located there. The Fund is being administered at a local level by the relevant local authority. Funding proposals, comprising of projects selected and prioritised locally, should be submitted by each local authority in the timeframes advised to the Department of Rural and Community Development for final approval.

The allocations per county are as follows: