Community Recognition Fund

The Community Recognition Fund aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities for the entire community 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 cities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants including towns identified for the rapid build homes programme. The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future 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 and other countries.

Information on projects allocated funding can be found here: <strong>Community Recognition Fund - Funding Allocations</strong>

The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 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 support cities, towns and villages nationwide. Based on the continued impacts on communities throughout the country and the need to support these communities in welcoming new arrivals, a further €50 million is being provided under the Community Recognition Fund 2024.

Engagement with Communities

It is essential that the funding proposal submitted by each local authority is developed based on direct engagement with impacted communities and in consultation with the Municipal Districts, Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and the local Community Response Fora. Proposals should also be consistent with Local Economic and Community Plans.

The proposal also has to demonstrate that the funding is targeted at and specifically invested in those cities, towns and villages where the highest level of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified.

Eligible Projects

The Community Recognition Fund 2024 will be allocated based on the numbers of arrivals in each local authority area.

Projects to be funded will be capital in nature, deliver medium-long term benefits for the communities in which they are located, and be capable of being delivered over the course of 2025 and 2026. A minimum spend of 50% of the allocation must be incurred in 2025. Eligible projects will receive funding for capital costs, but not for any ongoing operational or running costs.

The minimum level of funding for an individual project is €50,000 with a maximum of €500,000 applying. Smaller projects cannot be artificially combined to meet the minimum threshold of €50,000 – while the 2023 scheme provided funding for small scale investment in clubs and communities (e.g. for small scale equipment), the focus of the 2024 scheme is on projects of greater scale and impact.

Local authorities have scope to invest the funding based on their own distinct local needs as identified through a “bottom-up” approach and based on the community engagement referenced above.

However, the type of projects eligible for funding are:

• development, enhancement or refurbishment of community or cultural facilities including play areas, walkways, parks, community/sensory gardens, allotments, and recreational areas;
• development, enhancement or refurbishment of local club and sports facilities including facilities such as community swimming pools, changing rooms, toilets, digital aids such as score / information boards etc.;
• 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 e.g. music, arts or sports equipment;
• transport infrastructure such as the purchase of community vehicles, bus shelters and attendant information boards; (any vehicle funded must be in good condition and not more than 5 years old)
• projects that help address dereliction and/or wider local economic and community development objectives;
• purchase and refurbishment of vacant or derelict buildings for community use where a clear need is identified.
• Purchase of land and associated works for the development of community facilities such as play areas/ MUGAs or town parks/ community gardens, recreational areas etc. (purchases must only be administered by the local authority).

Timeline for Delivery

An important difference in this 2024 Community Recognition Fund is a move away from the original approach where local authorities sent in a single list of projects for approval. In order to address changes in the numbers and locations of new arrivals during 2024, each local authority must reserve at least 20% of their allocation for the submission of a proposal under the third application window. The application windows are as follows:

2024 - Phase 1 approved projects

In August 2024, funding of €16.5 million was announcedto deliver 185 projects around the country under phase 1.

The major investment will support a diverse range of projects such as upgrades to sports facilities, community centres, parks, walking trails and playgrounds.

Details of the successful applications can be found in this document:

2024 - Phase 2 approved projects

Details of the successful applications can be found in this document:

Queries and Applications

The Fund will be administered at a County level by local authorities. If you have a query regarding a project please contact your local authority, details are here.

More specific details around Community Recognition Fund can be found at the following links:

The 2024 allocations per county are as follows:

The successful projects under the Community Recognition Fund are available at the link below:

Community Recognition Fund - List of Successful Applicants

If you have any questions about the Community Recognition Fund please contactCRF@drcd.gov.ie