Community Recognition Fund 2024

The Department of Rural and Community Development has announced €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund 2024. Press release available here.

The Community Recognition Fund 2024 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.

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. The Community Recognition Fund 2024 has been allocated based on the numbers of arrivals in each local authority area. Of the total fund of €50 million, €2,428,540 has been allocated to Co. Mayo.

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 based on community engagement.

The types 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).

A link to the scheme outline is available here.

A link to an online Expression of Interest form and to registration for an online Information Session will be available shortly on this page.

Further information is available from community@mayococo.ie and on the Department's website