Minister Humphreys opens information event for the Community Centres Investment Fund

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today opened the pre-application information event for the new €15 million Community Centres Investment Fund.Over 600 people registered to attend the online information event hosted by the Department of Rural and Community Development today.The department will host a further information event on Wednesday 1 June from 2.30pm to 4pm and applicants must register to attend this event. Over 300 people have already signed up to attend.These information events are designed to provide guidance on the application process.Applicants need to register as ‘users’ on the portal here in advance of the application process which will open on 7 June 2022. This will allow them to identify any potential setup issues and rectify them in advance.The closing date for applications will be 14 July 2022.Guidelines and a sample application form are now available at www.gov.ie/communitycentresfund.Addressing the online event, Minister Humphreys said:“Community Centres are at the heart of nearly every community in Ireland – be it urban or rural. They are a place for people of all ages to meet, to socialise, to play sport or engage in activities ranging from a game of card, to music, arts or drama.But I know that many of our community centres are in real need of investment, upgrade or repair. This new €15 million fund will deliver grants ranging from €10,000 to €300,000 – so that you can carry out those important improvements.” Minister Humphreys continued: “€15 million will go a long way to upgrade and refurbish some of our community buildings across the country so that thousands of people of all ages can benefit.I am encouraging all community groups to look at this fund and think about how they can use it to improve their own local parish hall or community centre.It’s important to attend the information sessions and learn about the application process and criteria before applying to the fund.”
NotesThe Community Centre Investment Fund will provide grants for larger projects, over €10,000 up to a maximum contribution of €300,000 towards capital costs. 

• Category 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities €10,000 – €25,000. 
• Category 2: Larger scale projects €25,001 to €100,000. 
• Category 3: Major projects €100,001 to €300,000.

 Applications under Category 2 and 3 must include a minimum contribution of 5% of the total project costs from the applicants own funds. Funding is available for capital works such as:

• works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities
• energy retrofitting, new windows / doors / heating systems
• upgrades to lighting systems and stage areas
• works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits
• works to improve disability access
• improvements to assist in providing additional or better services to the community such as Meals for the elderly and youth facilities
• works to develop Community Centres as Social Hubs through the development of Community Cinemas, Youth Hubs and Community Libraries
• essential maintenance works, repairs to roof, and so on

There will be a two-stage application process with applicants asked to register their organisation in advance of the formal application process going live.

• Registration is now open and will remain open for duration of the application process, applicants must register as ‘users’ on the portal. The application process will open on Tuesday 7 June 2022.
• The closing date for applications is Thursday 14 July 2022.
• The department will be hosting a further online information event on 1st June 2022 to provide guidance in relation to the application process and details. 

 Fund guidelines and a sample application form are available to view at www.gov.ie/communitycentresfund.