.Féile Thrá Lí will receive €6,500 from the Community Support Fund.
KERRY County Council has announced details of the allocation of €750,000 in funding support for community groups and projects across the county under the Community Support Fund for 2024.
Tralee festivals and organisations in Tralee to receive funding include the Féile Thrá Lí (€6,500) Tralee Food Festival (€4,000) and Friends of Able (€6,000). See the full Tralee MD list below.
A total of 210 groups and projects received grant aid worth €335,000 this year while a proportion of the fund, totalling €415,000 is being retained to leverage funding from other funding streams for strategic projects at Municipal District level.
Continued below…
.
Councillors in the five Municipal Districts met during the past week to decide on the allocations and unanimously welcomed the provision of support to the recipients.
The Councillors congratulated all the community groups and acknowledged the tremendous voluntary work that they do.
Since 2020, over €40 million has been leveraged from other national grant sources as a result of the strategic allocation of resources under the Community Support Fund.
The fund, which is in its tenth year, has now supported 2,184 projects since 2015 to the value of €7m. As was the case in previous years, some of the Community Support Fund will be used this year to target strategic projects in the five municipal districts and to co-fund projects which are in receipt of grants from other sources.
The funds allocated to organisations in the Tralee Municipal District are as follows…
KERRY County Council has issued a call for applications for the 2024 Community Support Fund which offers financial assistance to community-based projects and initiatives in Kerry.
The 2024 Community Support Fund was launched by the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Jim Finucane and the Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell this week.
A total of €750,000 is being made available through this year’s scheme. The fund, which is now in its tenth year, has supported over 2,877 projects since 2015.
Continued below…
.
Applications are welcomed from groups in County Kerry whose primary focus is the development or promotion of the local community or the development of a project that will benefit a group in the community. Applications for funding must come within the definition of one of the following five categories of support:
1. Connected, Inclusive & Resilient Communities
2. Community Tidy Town Initiatives, Amenity Projects & Environmentally Sustainable Projects
3. Community Economic Innovation
4. Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
5. Community Road Safety Initiatives
“Millions of euro have been distributed to community groups over the past nine years through this vital funding stream and it has allowed voluntary and community organisations in the county to upgrade community facilities, to support local projects and to enhance existing services. I would encourage voluntary and community groups to apply at the earliest opportunity,” said Cllr Finucane.
Details of the CSF 2024 are available on Kerry County Council’s website www.kerrycoco.ie and application forms are available for completion online. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Wednesday, 31 January 2024.
Queries should be referred by email to the Municipal District which community groups are applying to or by contacting the Community, Arts and Culture Department on (066) 7183680.
.The Tralee Food Festival is one of the projects to receive funding in the Tralee MD.
COMMUNITY groups and projects in the Tralee Municipal District area will receive €48,500 under the Community Support Fund in 2023.
Kerry County Council has announced details of the allocation of €750,000 in funding support across the county under the fund this year.
Projects and clubs in Tralee to receive funding include the Chamber Alliance for the St Patricks Day Parade (€8,000), Tralee Boxing Club (€3,500), the Irish Pipe Band Association (€4,000) and Friends Of Able (€6,000) and Tralee Food Festival (€4,000).
Groups and projects in the Killarney MD received €75,000; Castleisland Corca Dhuibhne MD €42,000; Kenmare MD €35,000; Killarney MD €75,000 and Listowel MD €38,000.
Continued below…
.
A total of 198 groups and projects received grant aid worth €256,000 this year while a proportion of the fund, totalling €494,000 is being retained to leverage funding from other funding streams for strategic projects at Municipal District level.
Councillors in the five Municipal Districts met during the past week to decide on the allocations and unanimously welcomed the provision of support to the recipients. Councillors congratulated all the community groups and acknowledged the tremendous voluntary work that these groups do. The Tralee Municipal District allocation is as follows…
.Pictured at the launch of applications for the Community Support Fund at Kerry County Council Chambers this week were Moira Murrell CEO Kerry County Council, Cathaoirleach if KCC Cllr John Francis Flynn and Niamh O’Sullivan KCC. Photo by Domnick Walsh
KERRY County Council has today opened applications for the Community Support Fund for 2023.
Community groups across Kerry can now apply to the fund through the Kerry County Council website and the closing date is Wednesday, February 8.
A total of €750,000 is being made available through this year’s scheme. The fund, which is now in its ninth year, has supported over 2,680 projects since 2015.
Continued below…
.
The 2023 Community Support Fund was launched by the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr John Francis Flynn who encouraged community groups to apply.
“Millions have been distributed to community groups over the past nine years through this vital funding stream and it has allowed voluntary and community organisations in the county to upgrade community facilities, to support local projects and to enhance existing services. I would encourage voluntary and community groups to apply at the earliest opportunity,” said Cllr Flynn.
There are four main categories eligible for funding this year including:
• Rebuilding and Reconnecting Communities
• Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
• Community Economic Innovation
• Community Tourism, Festivals and Events
Queries should be referred by email to the Municipal District which groups are applying to or by contacting the Community and Tourism Department at Kerry County Council on (066) 7183680.
.The St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee in Tralee will receive €8,000 under the Community Support Fund.
OVER €50,000 will provided to community groups and projects in the Tralee Municipal District under the Community Support Fund for 2022.
Some of the bigger recipients include St Patricks Festival Committee (€8,000); Friends of ABLE/Tralee Tidy Towns CE Scheme (€7,500); the Christie Hennessy Festival (€4,000); Tralee Boxing Club (€3,000) and National Circus Festival of Ireland (€3,000). See the full list of Tralee MD recipients below.
Kerry County Council announced details of the allocation of €750,000 across the county under the Fund for this year.
Continued below…
.
A total of 178 groups and projects received grant aid worth €385,000 this year while a proportion of the fund, totalling €365,000, is being retained to leverage funding from other funding streams for strategic projects at Municipal District level.
As occurred in previous years, some of the Community Support Fund will be used this year to target strategic projects in the five municipal districts and to co-fund projects which are in receipt of grants from other sources.
Councillors in the five Municipal Districts met during this week to decide on the allocations and unanimously welcomed the provision of support to the recipients.
.Pictured at the launch of the Community Support Fund for 2022 recently were from left; Joan Flavin, Listowel Business & Community Alliance, Cllr. Jimmy Moloney, Cathaoirleach, Kerry County Council, Rose Wall, Listowel Business & Community Alliance and Mike Scannell, Director, Economic & Community Development, Kerry County Council. Photo: Pauline Dennigan
KERRY County Council announced the deadline for applying for the 2022 Community Support Fund has been extended by a week to Monday, February 28, to allow as many community and voluntary organisations as possible to apply.
The Community Support Fund will provide significant financial supports to community and voluntary organisations and projects across the county.
A total of €750,000 is being made available through this year’s scheme. The fund, which is now in its eighth year, has supported over 2,500 projects since 2015.
Continued below…
.
There are four main categories eligible for funding this year including:
• Rebuilding and Reconnecting Communities
• Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
• Community Economic Innovation
• Community Tourism, Festivals and Events
Application forms are available for completion online, through the following link: https://arcg.is/HKnqO
Queries can be made by email to the relevant Municipal District or the Community & Tourism Department of Kerry County Council (066) 7183680.
.Pictured at the launch of the Community Support Fund for 2022 in Listowel are from left; Joan Flavin, Listowel Business & Community Alliance, Cllr. Jimmy Moloney, Cathaoirleach, Kerry County Council, Rose Wall, Listowel Business & Community Alliance and Mike Scannell, Director, Economic & Community Development, Kerry County Council. Photo: Pauline Dennigan
KERRY County Council has today announced the first of three community funds which will provide significant financial supports to community and voluntary organisations and projects across the county.
The 2022 Community Support Fund was launched today by the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Jimmy Moloney and details will be announced over the next two weeks of separate funding streams to support some operational costs for community groups as well as investment in festivals and events in the county in 2022.
Community groups can now apply to the Community Support Fund through the Kerry County Council website and the closing date is Monday, 21 February.
Continued below…
.
A total of €750,000 is being made available through this year’s scheme. The fund, which is now in its eighth year, has supported over 2,500 projects since 2015.
Cllr Moloney said: ‘I warmly welcome the provision of this funding for community groups. Over the past few years, millions have been invested in worthwhile projects and initiatives across the county and which have enormous benefits for every community in the county. I would encourage voluntary and community groups to apply at the earliest opportunity.’
There are four main categories eligible for funding this year including:
• Rebuilding and Reconnecting Communities
• Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
• Community Economic Innovation
• Community Tourism, Festivals and Events
Queries should be referred by email to the Municipal District which groups are applying to or by contacting the Community and Tourism Department at Kerry County Council on (066) 7183680.
Over the next two weeks, Kerry County Council will publish details of the new Community Activities Fund as well as the Festivals and Events Fund for 2022.
Categories for the 2022 Community Support Fund
1. Rebuilding and Reconnecting Communities
Examples of projects that could be supported:
• Activity to reconnect communities (either virtually or in line with guidance around social distancing and permitted activities).
• Pilot imaginative new approaches and community events that will facilitate communities to meet safely.
• Minor improvements to provide safe indoor and outdoor meeting facilities and spaces.
• Develop/enhance safe outdoor recreational/social spaces for young people to reconnect safely.
• Provide small capital support to local voluntary groups, providing community services to assist in the development of new services and/or enhance existing services.
2. Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
Examples of Projects that could be supported:
• Develop/enhance safe outdoor recreational/social spaces to make them vibrant hubs for community enjoyment,
• Provision of information boards, sheltered meeting areas, picnic areas and wheelchair accessible benches in outdoor public spaces.
• Climate Action Awareness training for local community groups.
• Develop community garden and/or biodiversity projects,
• Waste minimization/management projects,
In general, funding will only be available for development work and not general maintenance. Groups can apply under the Community Activities Fund for maintenance costs.
3. Community Economic Innovation
Examples of Projects that could be supported:
• Support to Chamber Alliances
• Support the upgrade and enhancement of street facades and public realm improvements
• Enhance and adapt recreational amenities in town and village centres.
Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate collaboration between the Business Sector, Local Chamber Alliances, the Local Community and Kerry County Council.
4. Community Tourism, Festivals and Events
Funding under this theme will be provided to festivals, activities and reimagined events while adhering to the relevant COVID 19 Government advice at the time.
Funding under this theme will be provided to new and established projects that are managed by local festival committees, community groups and/or business and chamber alliances that support tourism growth and generate a sense of place and community pride.
In 2022, added priority will be awarded to festivals participating in ‘An Turás Mor – The Journey Home Festival Series’ planned for October 2022 as part of Fáilte Irelands Global Irish Festival Series.
.The National Circus Festival of Ireland will receive funds under the Community Support Fund. File Photo
KERRY County Council has announced details of the allocation of €750,000 in funding support for community groups and projects across the county under the Community Support Fund for 2021.
Among the groups to benefit in the Tralee Municipal District are Féile na mBláth which will receive €18,123, National Circus Festival €5,000 and Fenit Town Hall €4,000 (See full list of Tralee MD beneficiaries below).
A total of 123 groups and projects are receiving grant aid worth €475,000 this year while a proportion of the fund, totalling €275,000, is being retained to leverage funding from other funding streams for strategic projects at Municipal District level.
Continued below…
.
Over the past two years, over €10 million was leveraged from other national grant sources as a result of the strategic allocation of resources under the Community Support Fund.
The fund, which is in its seventh year, has now supported 1,623 projects since 2015 to the value of €5.25m since its establishment.
As occurred in previous years, some of the Community Support Fund will be used this year to target strategic projects in the five municipal districts and to co-fund projects which are in receipt of grants from other sources.
Councillors in the five Municipal Districts met on Wednesday 14 July to decide on the allocations and unanimously welcomed the provision of support to the recipients.
THE 2021 Community Support Fund was launched today by the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr. Patrick Connor Scarteen.
Kerry County Council has issued a call for applications for this year’s €750,000 fund which is offering supports to community-based projects and initiatives in Kerry.
The fund, which is now in its seventh year, has supported over 2,000 projects since 2015.
Continued below…
.
As occurred in previous years, some of the Community Support Fund will be used again this year to target strategic projects in the five Municipal Districts and to co-fund projects which are in receipt of grants from other sources.
Applications are welcomed from groups whose primary focus is the development or promotion of the local community or the development of a project that will benefit a group in the community.
“I warmly welcome the provision of this funding for community groups. Over the past few years, millions have been invested in worthwhile projects and initiatives across the county and which have enormous benefits for every community in the county. I would encourage voluntary and community groups to apply at the earliest opportunity,” said Cllr Connor-Scarteen.
Applications for funding must come within the definition of one of the following four categories of support:
1. Rebuilding and Reconnecting Communities
2. Community Tidy Town Initiatives and Amenity Projects
3. Community Economic Innovation
4. Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday 18th June 2021 and application forms are available for completion online via the Kerry County Council website.
Queries should be referred by email to the Municipal District or by contacting the Community and Tourism Department on (066) 7183680.
.The Féile na mBláth will receive €15,000 in funding.
TRALEE Chamber Alliance wil receive €50,000 under the Community Support Fund in 2020 after Kerry County Council announced details of the allocation of €750,000 in funding support for community groups and projects across the county.
A total of 287 groups and projects received grant aid worth €485,000 this year while a proportion of the fund, totalling €265,000, is being retained to leverage funding from other funding streams for strategic projects at Municipal District level.
The allocation to Tralee Chamber Alliance was the largest in the Tralee Municipal District (see full list below).
Continued below…
.
Other significant allocations went to Féile na mBláth (€15,000); St Patrick’s Day Parade (€8,000); Friends of ABLE/Tralee Tidy Towns (€8,000) and the Christie Hennessy Festival (€4,000).
The fund, which is in its sixth year, has now supported 1,500 projects since 2015 to the value of €4.5m since its establishment. A
s occurred in previous years, some of the Community Support Fund will be used this year to target strategic projects in the four municipal districts and to co-fund projects which are in receipt of grants from other sources.
Councillors in the four Municipal Districts met on Tuesday to decide on the allocations and unanimously welcomed the provision of support to the recipients. Councillors congratulated all the community groups and acknowledged the tremendous voluntary work that these groups do.
COMMUNITY groups and projects in the Tralee Municipal District will receive over €120,000 as part of the Community Support Fund for 2018.
In all, 46 groups and projects will benefit from the funding allocated by Kerry County Council. The overall aim of the funding scheme is to provide flexible financial support to community groups and local organisations in Kerry who wish to undertake projects which will improve the range and/or quality of community projects and facilities within their areas.
Some of the larger allocations include Tralee Chamber Alliance €50,000; Féile na mBláth Committee €23,000; Friends of Able Limited/Tralee Tidy Towns €8,000; Tralee St Patricks Day Committee €8,000; Christie Hennessey Festival €4,000 and Tidy Tralee Together €4,000.
Continued below…
.
Allocations on a countywide basis were made as follows:
• Cork Kerry Link Bus – transport bus for patients availing of cancer treatment service: €6,000
• Fleadh Cheoil Chiarrai 2019 – To fund a programme of events during the festival which will be hosted in Milltown from 19th – 23rd June 2019 – €5,000
• Kerry’s Older People’s Council – To support the activities of Kerry’s Older People’s Council which was established under Kerry’s Age Friendly Strategy – €3,000
• Kerry Climate Action Network– To support the cost of hosting a Community Environmental and Climate Action Expo in Kerry in Autumn 2019 – €2,000
Countywide, total of 246 groups and projects received grant aid worth €388,000 this year while a proportion of the fund, totalling €362,000, is being retained to secure and leverage funding from other funding streams for strategic projects across the Municipal Districts.
The full list for Tralee Municipal District is as follows;
1
Ardfert Community Council Company Ltd. By Guarantee
Ardfert
Growing and Sustaining Communities
€500
2
St. Brendan’s Athletic Club
Ardfert
Community Sports and Physical Activity Programmes
€500
3
Ballyroe/Clogherbrien Community Association
Ballyroe
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
4
Blennerville Pony & Agriculture Show
Blennerville
Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
€500
5
Brosna le Chéile
Brosna
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
6
Hannon Festival Committee
Brosna
Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
€500
7
Fenit Development Association
Fenit
Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
€500
8
Fenit Samphires’ F.C.
Fenit
Community Sports and Physical Activity Programmes
€500
9
Cillard Camogie Club
Kilmoyley
Community Sports and Physical Activity Programmes
€500
10
Con Curtin Music Festival
Knocknagoshel
Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
€500
11
Knocknagoshel Tidy Towns
Knocknagoshel
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
12
Dan Paddy Andy Festival Committee
Lyreacrompane
Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
€500
13
Sliabh Luachra Active Retired Network
Lyreacrompane
Growing and Sustaining Communities
€250
14
AK Inspire Ltd.
Tralee
Community Sports and Physical Activity Programmes
€500
15
Christie Hennessey Festival
Tralee
Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
€4,000
16
Clounalour Residents Association & Neighbourhood Watch
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
17
Connolly Park Residents Association
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
18
Cúil Fuine Residents Committee
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
19
Cúl na Chlaishe Residents Association
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
20
Evan & Alex’s Canal Clean Up
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
21
Féile na mBláth Committee
Tralee
Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
€23,000
22
Friends of Able Limited/Tralee Tidy Towns
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€8,000
23
Glan Tralee/Tralee Environmental Taskforce
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€1,732
24
Irish Wildlife Trust – Kerry Branch
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€540
25
Kerins O’Rahilly’s GAA Club
Tralee
Community Sports and Physical Activity Programmes
€500
26
Kerry Scotia Ensemble
Tralee
Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
€500
27
Kerry Women’s Resource Centre
Tralee
Growing and Sustaining Communities
€1,000
28
Killeen Wood Residents Committee
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
29
Kingdom County Fair
Tralee
Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
€1,000
30
Laharn & District Residents Association (LADRA)
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
31
Manor Village Residents Committee
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
32
National Circus Festival of Ireland
Tralee
Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
€1,000
33
Oakview Residents Association
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
34
Open Arms Kerry
Tralee
Growing and Sustaining Communities
€1,000
35
Rath Oraigh Community Childcare
Tralee
Growing and Sustaining Communities
€900
36
St. Brendan’s Park Residents’ Association
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€500
37
St. John’s Parish Centre
Tralee
Growing and Sustaining Communities
€500
38
The Chain Gang Cycling Club
Tralee
Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
€500
39
The International Children’s Games
Tralee
Community Sports and Physical Activity Programmes
€1,000
40
The Name It Women’s Group
Tralee
Growing and Sustaining Communities
€500
41
Tidy Tralee Together
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
€3,000
42
Tidy Tralee Together
Tralee
Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
.At the launch of the 2019 Community Support Fund at the Killorglin Area Services Centre on Thursday, from left: Cllr Damian Quigg, Moira Murrell (Chief Executive), Cllr John Joe Culloty (Leas Cathaoirleach), Cllr Michael O’Shea, Cllr Bobby O’Connell, Niamh O’Sullivan (Head of Community Unit, Kerry County Council).
KERRY County Council has now issued a call for funding applications for the 2019 Community Support Fund which is offering a further €750,000 to community-based projects and initiatives in Kerry over the coming year.
Since its establishment in 2015, the Fund has provided funding of €3m to community groups and projects across the county.
The 2019 Community Support Fund was launched on Thursday evening at the Killorglin Area Services Centre by the Leas Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr John Joe Culloty, and the Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell.
Continued below…
.
The launch heard presentations from a number of projects and groups which had benefited from the funding available in recent years.
The fund, which is now in its fifth year, has supported over 1,200 projects since 2015 to the value of €3million. As occurred in 2017 and 2018, some of the Community Support Fund will be used again this coming year to target strategic projects in the four municipal districts and to co-fund projects which are in receipt of grants from other sources.
At the launch of the 2019 Community Support Fund at the Killorglin Area Services Centre on Thursday, l-r: Dan O’Sullivan (Ballybunion Mens’ Shed), Maureen Hegarty (Killarney Mountain Festival), Jens Bachem (Reeks District), Larry Long (Sliabh Luachra Active Retired Network)
Over the past two years, €2million was leveraged from other grant sources as a result of the strategic allocation of resources under the Community Support Fund.
For 2019, the fund will target funding under five categories of support:
• Growing and Sustaining Communities
• Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
• Community Sport and Physical Activity Programmes
• Community Economic Innovation
• Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday, 21 January 2019 and application forms may be downloaded from the council’s website. Further information is available for Kerry County Council’s Community Department at 066 7183680.
COMMUNITY groups and projects in the Tralee Municipal District will receive over €81,000 as part of the Community Support Fund for 2018.
Kerry County Council has announced details of the allocation of €750,000 in funding support for community groups and projects across the county under the Fund.
A total of 255 groups and projects received grant aid worth €320,000 this year while a proportion of the fund, totalling €430,000, is being retained to leverage funding for strategic projects at Municipal District level and to support projects previously supported by the Town Councils.
Continued below…
.
Féile na mBláth received the largest single allocation in the district with €20,000. Others who received significant amounts were Friends of Able/Tidy Towns (€8,000), Tralee Tidy Towns (€5,000), Tidy Tralee Together Awards (€4,000), Tidy Tralee Together Grant Scheme (€7,500) and St Patrick’s Day Committee (€8,000). See full list below.
The fund, which is in its fourth year, has now supported over 1,250 projects since 2015 to the value of €3m since its establishment.
Projects in Killarney MD received over €112,250, Listowel MD got €62,452) and South & West Kerry MD projects were allocated €64,452.
As occurred in 2017, some of the Community Support Fund will be used this year to target strategic projects in the four municipal districts and to co-fund projects which are in receipt of grants from other sources.
In 2017, almost €1m was leveraged from other grant sources such as Town and Village Renewal and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund as a result of the strategic allocation of resources under the Community Support Fund. For 2018, the fund was refocussed to target funding under five categories of support:
• Growing and Sustaining Communities
• Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
• Community Sport and Physical Activity Programmes
• Community Economic Innovation
• Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
.At the launch of the Kerry County Council Community Support Fund for 2018 at the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre on Thursday evening were, l-r: Niamh O’Sullivan (Head of Community Unit), Helena Switzer (Community Unit), Cathaoirleach Cllr John Sheahan, Chief Executive Moira Murrell, and Michael Scannell (Director of Services).
KERRY County Council is inviting applications from community and voluntary organisations across the county for a fund of €750,000 for local community-based projects and initiatives.
The 2018 Community Support Fund was launched on Thursday evening at the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre by the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr John Sheahan and Council Chief Executive, Moira Murrell.
The fund, which is now in its fourth year, has supported over 1,000 projects since 2015 to the value of €2.25million.
.
As occurred in 2017, some of the Community Support Fund will be used again this coming year to target strategic projects in the four municipal districts and to co-fund projects which are in receipt of grants from other sources.
In 2017, almost €1million was leveraged from other grant sources such as Town and Village Renewal and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund as a result of the strategic allocation of resources under the Community Support Fund.
For 2018, the fund has been refocussed to target funding under five categories of support:
· Growing and Sustaining Communities
· Community Tidy Towns Initiatives and Amenity Projects
· Community Sport and Physical Activity Programmes
· Community Economic Innovation
· Community Based Tourism, Festivals and Events
Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Sheahan, said: “Since the Community Support Fund was established in 2015, millions of euro have been invested by Kerry County Council in community projects and initiatives around the county. This is indicative of the council’s support for the work being done by community and voluntary organisations all over the county to build vibrant, sustainable communities and the value of that work in Kerry.”
Chief Executive, Moira Murrell, said: “The Community Support Fund has targeted funding towards a very wide range of community-based projects and has provided support to community councils, chamber alliances, tidy towns groups and other organisations in a very progressive and structured way. Furthermore, the retention of part of the fund to help to leverage funding from other sources and to co-fund projects with other funding streams has proven to be an enormous success in recent years.”
The new minimum grant payable in 2018 is €500. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday, 22 January 2018 and application forms may be downloaded from the council’s website. Further information is available for Kerry County Council’s Community Department at 066 7183680.
.Launching the Community Support Fund on Monday morning were, front l-r: Cllr Aoife Thornton, Moira Murrell (Chief Executive), Cllr Michael O’Shea (Cathaoirleach), Cllr Thomas McEllistrim, Niamh O’Sullivan, Helena Switzer. Back l-r: Cllr Sam Locke, Andrew Smith, Cllr Seamus Cosaí Fitzgerald, Cllr Toiréasa Ferris, Cllr Michael Gleeson, Cllr Graham Spring, Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, Siobhán Griffin, Mike Scannell (Director of Services), Cllr Pa Daly, Noreen O’Connor.
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
