Community Grant schemes 2023

I hope to encourage all volunteer and community groups, in my constituency of Laois and Offaly, to apply for one or more of the Community grant and funding schemes that are now open for applications, including:

• The Community Support Fund

• The Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2023, Historic Structures Fund 2023,

• The Community Monuments Fund

• The Community Water Development Fund 2023

• Heritage Council Community Grant Scheme 2023

Please pay particular attention to the closing dates for your county as each county may have different closing dates, depending on the scheme.

If you or your group acquire assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at Pippa.Hackett@oireachtas.ie. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of these details, I recommend that you confirm criteria and closing dates directly with the funding body.

Community Support Fund

Community halls such as St Fintan's Hall in Mountrath, Co. Laois can apply

The Community Support Fund is a once-off fund, subsidized by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered by the Local Community Development Company for each county.

The scheme was developed to support groups with their non-pay running costs such as energy costs (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges) or other non-pay operating costs for e.g. rental/lease costs, insurance bills.

Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities including purchase of equipment.

Laois

You can find details regarding the eligibility criteria on the Laois County Council website Community Support Fund 2022 – Laois County Council. All applications and supporting documentation must be received by Tuesday 31st January 2023 at 4.00pm.

Offaly

Eligibility criteria and fund categories for Offaly can be found on the Offaly County Council website https://www.offaly.ie/!CIZPTQ . Applications are open now and close 12 noon on 24th February 2023.

Groups such as Tullamore Men Shed can apply for the funding

The Community Monuments Fund 2023

Dysart Enos Church was one of the five Laois projects completed in 2022 under the scheme

Applications are now open for the Community Monuments Fund 2023 which is funded by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and administered by your local County Council.

The fund aims to assist with conservation, research and interpretation of archaeological monuments by communities and private owners.

Laois

Further details at the following link: Community Monuments Fund – Laois County Council. The closing date for applications to Laois County Council is 24th January 2023.

Offaly

For more information please see Community Monuments Fund 2023 - Offaly County Council. Application should be submitted to Offaly County Council by 31 January 2023.

Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2023, Historic Structures Fund 2023

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme was developed to help repair and conserve Protected Structures in our communities. The Historic Structures Fund assists with works to safeguard structures or parts of structures in immediate danger of significant deterioration.

Laois

For the list of the eligibility criteria - you will find these on Conservation Grants – Laois County Council. Applications are now open and will run until 31 January 2023.

Offaly

For list of criteria and for more information please see Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2023 Historic Structures Fund 2023 - Offaly County Council. Closing 4pm, Thursday 26th January 2023.

Community Water Development Fund 2023

I was thrilled last year when Geashill Tidy Towns were awarded €1,200.00 under phase 2 of the scheme for their Geashill Wetlands & Raingarden Information Board & Signage.

The Community Water Development Fund 2023 administered by LAWPRO on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is open to all community and voluntary groups to help assist in the protection and management of water quality.

Projects funded since the fund came into operation in 2018 include feasibility studies; surveys and plans; biodiversity signage; water conservation measures; invasive species control; riparian management and planting; training workshops; Citizen Science initiatives, etc.

You can make an application via an online portal at https://consult.watersandcommunities.ie/en/content/community-water-development-fund-grant-application-form-2023 until the closing date of 7th Feb 2023.

You can download the Fund Guidelines here.

Camross Parish Development Association were awarded €861.00 under the scheme for urgent flood and riparian management on the Little Delour River.

Heritage Council Community Grant Scheme 2023

Donaghmore Work House were awarded funding under the scheme

The Heritage Council Community Grant Scheme 2023 is now open to voluntary and community groups and non-governmental organisations. The Heritage Council has allocated €1.5 million for its Community Grant Scheme this year to support capital projects to improve access and inclusion to heritage sites; that apply good heritage practice to the management of places, collections, or objects (including buildings).

The scheme will help fund the purchase of vital equipment and is intended to aid communities and heritage non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to start new initiatives and continue their work.

I recommend that you confirm for yourselves, that your group meets the eligibility criteria please see Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2023 | The Heritage Council for more information and for a list of who can apply.

A webinar about the scheme will be held on Wednesday, January 25th at 11:00am.

You can submit your application online on the Heritage Council's Online Grants System until the closing date Monday 20th February 2023 at 5pm.

To register please see https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Zfe4hjWEQAmMOpp2ShgUVw

For any queries or questions please e-mail grants@heritagecouncil.ie