Press release
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee opens call for applications for Community Safety Fund 2024
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has today opened the funding call for the Community Safety Fund 2024. This fund has been developed to reinvest the value of proceeds of crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau directly back into communities via projects that support and improve community safety.
€3.75 million in funding is available for local initiatives and the funding call is open from 30 May to 26 July 2024.
The Minister announced the funding call while visiting Céim ar Chéim in the Moyross Youth Academy, which was awarded funding under the fund in 2023.
The Community Safety Fund
• allows proceeds of crime to be directed into community projects to support community safety;
• encourages the development of projects aimed at improving community safety from the people who best understand local community safety needs;
• allows best practice on community safety and youth justice to be shared with other partnerships and communities nationally as new proposals are developed;
• reflects and highlights the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in seizing the proceeds from criminal activity.
This could include activities intended to:
• tackle crime or reduce the fear of crime; improve community safety and feelings of safety;
• support the creation of safe and resilient communities;
• reduce reoffending;
• divert vulnerable individuals away from engagement in criminal behaviour.
This year, projects which have already received funding under a previous round of the Community Safety Fund may apply for repeat funding, once strong outputs to date are demonstrated as part of the application process.
Speaking from Moyross Youth Academy, McEntee said:
“Ensuring that people are safe and feel safe in their own community so that communities can thrive and flourish is a priority for me. Community safety goes beyond traditional, high visibility policing. It requires a whole of Government approach, and those within communities who know best the dynamics, strengths and challenges of their localities to work together to build safer and stronger communities.
“I am delighted to announce the call for applications to this year’s Community Safety Fund which is just one of a number of initiatives designed to recognise the importance of local groups who nurture and enhance the lives of those around them. We have increased the fund this year to €3.75 million which really is the very best use of the funds from the proceeds of crime.
“When I visit organisations who have already benefitted from the fund, such as Céim ar Chéim here in Moyross, it reaffirms the role community involvement and collaboration has in improving quality of life and community safety in local areas. For this project, Céim ar Chéim, Limerick CYPSC, REPPP (University of Limerick), An Garda Síochána, Limerick and Clare ETB, Probation Services and Youth Representative are all working together towards a common goal of improving community safety by putting young people who are at risk of offending onto better life paths.
“I want to thank all of the people around the country who work tirelessly to improve their communities and change people’s lives for the better. I look forward to seeing first-hand the work that is carried out under the Community Safety Fund, and that continues to be carried out by successful applicants.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Youth Justice James Browne said,
“A number of projects that work to improve the lives of young people and their communities, by diverting them away from criminal and anti-social behaviour, have received funding from the Community Safety Fund in previous years. Young people are the heart and future of our communities and this Government is committed to building better outcomes for young people and supporting youth justice services in every way possible. We have already committed €33 million in funding for youth diversion measures in 2024, but this Fund provides another avenue for groups to access important funding if their proposal will improve community safety. I would encourage all relevant groups to consider applying by the deadline of 26 July. ”
Grants will be in the range of €20,000 to €150,000. Smaller or larger grants may be considered on merit on an exceptional basis.
Applications are invited from community safety initiatives as well as groups co-funded with local authorities, NGOs and community organisations working on issues relevant to community safety and youth justice. Applications may be submitted by individual organisations, or by a consortium involving two or more organisations where the lead partner is a community organisation, not-for-profit, social enterprise or similar with a remit relevant to community safety and/or youth justice. Applications with innovative approaches will be afforded particular consideration.
• Completed application forms must be returned by 26 July 2024.
• Further information is available on the Gov.ie website.
ENDS
Note for Editors:
• In April 2021, the Fund was announced and in 2022 it provided funding of €2 million across 22 successful projects. It provided funding of €3 million across 30 projects.
• Under budget 2024, €3.75 million has been allocated to the Community Safety Fund 2024.
• Groups eligible to apply for the Community Safety Fund include:
o Existing community safety initiatives;
o NGOs and community organisations working on issues relevant to community safety and youth justice;
o Individual organisations, or consortiums involving two or more organisations where the lead partner is a community organisation, not-for-profit, social enterprise or similar with a remit relevant to community safety and/or youth justice.
• Individual people, private sector businesses, or organisations that are not based in, or do not have an existing presence in Ireland, are not eligible for this funding scheme.