From Department of Rural and Community Development
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Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities Joe O’Brien have today announced the successful projects in Co. Westmeath under the 2022 Community Support Fund.
The 2022 Community Support Fund was launched in November 2022 with funding of €10 million available. €100,000 of this funding was ring-fenced specifically to support Women’s Sheds. The key theme of the fund is to support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their energy bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.
The Community Support Fund is a once off fund provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered by Local Community Development Committees, with support from the Local Authority, in each area.
Announcing the successful projects for Co. Westmeath today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted to announce over €282,000 in funding for 229 local projects across County Westmeath today as part of my department’s Community Support Fund. Through ‘Our Rural Future’, I want to support locally led, ground-up projects in local communities across the country. This funding is all about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs with their energy costs, whether it’s the electricity bill, insurance costs or other overheads. While these grants are small in nature, they can make a big difference by allowing local community organisations to carry out much needed works in their area.”
Minister Humphreys added:
“I fully appreciate the fantastic work carried out by volunteers in communities across the country whether it’s the local Parish Hall Committee, the Development Association or the local Senior Citizens Group. These local committees work hard to make sure they can keep the lights on and run fantastic local services and events for young and old to enjoy. I would like to thank Weatmeath County Council and Local Community Development Committee for their assistance in administering this fund.”
Also announcing the successful projects today, Minister Joe O’Brien said:
“The Community Support Fund provides a range of invaluable small grants to help the smaller community groups and facilities that support communities at a grassroots level. I know that this funding is an important tool in helping these important groups and we were especially conscious that with the impact of current energy costs many groups would need additional supports to help them to continue to provide their valuable services to the people in their areas. I want to congratulate the successful projects and to thank them for the vital work they do in providing services in their local communities.”
The Community Support Fund is targeted towards enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities. It provides small grants to community groups in a manner consistent with each area’s Local Economic and Community Plan.
The Community Support Fund was launched in November 2022. The once-off fund is allocated under the department’s Community Enhancement Programme.
The funding is administered locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. Contact details for LCDCs are available.