KERRY County Council is inviting applications from community and voluntary organisations for a fund of €750,000 for local projects and initiatives.
The 2017 Community Support Fund was launched on Monday by the Cathaoirleach and members of Kerry County Council.
The Fund, which is now in its third year, has supported 700 projects since 2015 to the value of €1.5million. It recognises the valuable contribution of the community and voluntary sectors in Kerry and the vital and beneficial work that those organisations do. Applications are now invited from community groups, residents’ committees, Tidy Towns groups, Chamber Alliances and other organisations across the four Municipal Districts in Kerry.
This year, it is intended that some of the Community Support Fund will be used to target strategic projects in Municipal Districts and that it will be used to co-fund projects which are in receipt of grants from other sources.
It may also be used by groups to help leverage grants under programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Economic Development Zone Scheme (REDZ). A portion of the fund will also be retained to provide matching funding for approved LEADER projects that have a broad community gain associated with them.
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Michael O’Shea said: “I am delighted on behalf of the elected members of Kerry County Council to launch the 2017 Community Support Fund. Not only does this grant aid provide valuable support to promote community and economic activities throughout the county, it also gives Kerry County Council an opportunity to acknowledge the valuable contribution that local voluntary groups make to the vitality of our communities.’
‘One of our objectives this year is to target funding to projects and groups who would be eligible for co-funding under other schemes. The fund will also continue, as in previous years, to support a variety of local projects which benefit the community,’ said Cllr O’Shea.
To assist groups in applying for funding, the Community Department of Kerry County Council has announced details of local workshops in each Municipal District at which applicants will receive information and advice on the application process. Application forms are now available to download from the Council’s website at www.kerrycoco.ie.
Head of the Community Department at Kerry County Council, Niamh O’Sullivan confirmed that the 2017 Fund has seven categories of support under which groups can make an application: ‘The guidelines have been revised this year to provide more clarity to groups and we have also produced a guide to completing the application form. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday 13 January.’
Details of the pre-application workshops are as follows:
Tralee MD 30th November 7.30pm Manor West Hotel (Castlemaine Suite)
South & West MD
Killorglin: 30th November, Library Place, Killorglin, 7.30pm
Kenmare:1st December, Brook Lane Hotel, Kenmare, 7.30pm
Dingle: 5th December, Benners Hotel, Dingle, 7.30pm
Killarney MD; 28th November 8.00pm Randles Court Hotel
Listowel MD 29th November 7.30pm Family Resource Centre, John B. Keane Road, Listowel