Please read the Application Guidelines for the 'Local Enhancement Programme 2024' carefully before completing this form.
There are two separate funding streams available:
- LCDC Local Enhancement Fund
- LCDC Local Enhancement Fund for Women's Groups
Closing date for applications is Tuesday 27th February 2024 at 5pm. Please note that incomplete applications or late applications cannot be considered.
'The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) funds the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) which provides funding to support community groups across Ireland'.
The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) has also allocated funding of €1 million to support Women’s Groups across Ireland.
The Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) provides funding to support community groups across Ireland. The LEP is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and administered by the Cork City Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), to ensure funding is targeted appropriately towards addressing disadvantage in the areas that need it most.
The LEP will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas
- With funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities including but not limited to; improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and; improving energy efficiency of community facilities.
- And to purchase equipment for e.g. such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment etc.
- Funding will also be allocated to women's groups that submit valid applications.
- This is a CAPITAL funding scheme. The scheme does not provide funding for the pay or employment of staff, or towards current ‘operating’ costs such as utility bills, etc.
Applications should relate to one or more key priority areas identified in the Cork City LCDC's Local Economic and Community Plan (
LECP) in order to be eligible for consideration.
These funding streams are about giving a helping hand to our communities, local groups and clubs. It is intended that LCDCs ring-fence 30% of allocated funding from the Local Enhancement Fund to provide small grants of €1,000 or less. Ring-fencing funding at this level will allow a larger volume of those with limited resources to receive funding. These programmes can also fund or partially fund larger scale projects to address disadvantage.
Community Groups, Organisations and Associations can apply for funding from the following grant streams:-
- LCDC Local Enhancement Fund 2024
Funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities and the purchase of equipment for community use. The funding may also be used but not limited to improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and; improving energy efficiency of community facilities.
- LCDC Local Enhancement Fund 2024 Women's Groups
This is a capital grant to provide funding to women's groups to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities and purchase of equipment. The programme will also fund or partially fund larger scale projects to address disadvantage.
Please click the blue 'Get Started' button to begin. You may be required to submit quotes/estimates with your application
Please leave adequate time to submit your form by the closing date. Applications do not need to be completed in one sitting. Progress can be saved and resumed at another time.
Any funding that was awarded by Cork City Council or the LCDC in 2022/2023 must be completed and receipted before any funding from 2024 grants will be allocated.
All applications are to be made here online, through Cork City Council's Submit Application Portal by the 27th February 2024 at 5pm. Please note incomplete applications or late applications cannot be considered.
The Local Enhancement Programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development Please
click here for a press release on the launch of the LEP at national level by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O'Brien TD.
Terms and Conditions
- There is no limit on the number of applications for different projects from any organisations. However, applicants should be aware that an equity/fairness approach will be taken to ensure an even distribution of funding with a particular reference to disadvantage.
- Any grant funding awarded can only be spent on the purpose applied for in the application form.
- The activity or project must benefit the local community and relate to the key priority areas identified in the LECP.
- The application must be signed by the Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer of the organisation making the submission.
- The information supplied by the applicant group/organisation must be accurate and complete.
- Misinformation may lead to disqualification and/or the repayment of any grant made.
- It is the responsibility of each organisation to ensure that it has proper procedures and policies in place, including appropriate child protection policies and training, and suitable adequate insurance cover.
- Evidence of expenditure, receipts/invoices must be retained and will need to be provided to Cork City Council when requested.
- Receipts of expenditure and photographic evidence will be required to be submitted. Invoices will not be accepted and will be returned.
- Grant monies awarded must be expended and drawn down by end of year 2024.
- Receipts must be dated after the date that the fund was awarded.
- Generally, no third party or intermediary applications will be considered.
- Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Breaches of terms and conditions of the grants scheme may result in sanctions including disbarment from future grant applications.
- The Freedom of Information Act applies to all records held by the Department and Local Authorities.
- In order to process your application, it may be necessary for Cork City Council to collect personal data from you. Such information will be processed in line with the Local Authority's privacy statement which is available to view on Cork City Council's website here.
Local Enhancement Programme
- The LEP is a capital funding scheme, with funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities and purchase of equipment. The scheme does not provide funding for pay or employment of staff, or towards current 'operating' costs such as utility bills etc.
- Under the LEP, grants will be provided to Women's Groups towards funding for operating costs (e.g. electricity costs, heating costs, insurance costs. etc.)
- Under the programme it is intended that 30% of the funding that is allocated to each Local Authority area will be ring-fenced for grants of €1,000 or less.
- For grants towards equipment or the upgrade of facilities, applicant groups shall self-certify that they do not have the funding to undertake the work, without the grant aid, or alternatively that with the grant they will now undertake a larger project which they otherwise would not be able to afford.
- If the funding applications is for one element of a project, applicants will be required to provide documentary evidence of the availability of the balance of funding for the remaining elements of that project.
- The Department's contribution must be publicly acknowledged in all materials and publicity associated with the purpose of the grant.
- All information provided in respect of the application for a grant will be held electronically. The Department reserves the right to publish a list of all grants awarded on its website.
The following provides a non-exhaustive list of projects that could receive funding:
- Development of community facilities
- Improved access for persons with a disability
- Maintenance of building/premises
- Renovation of building/premises
- IT Equipment
- Safety Equipment
- Machinery
- CCTV
- General Equipment
- Construction works
- Training Equipment
- Sports Equipment
- Energy Efficient Upgrades
The following expenditure is NOT eligible for funding:
- Utility Bills
- Any project not in keeping with the ethos of the Programme
- Employment costs
- Legal fees
- Project management fees
- Purchase of lands or buildings
- Feasibility studies
- Private or commercial operations
- Costs which are being paid for by another funder or department.
Requirements of the Programme
Tax Requirements
- The applicant group/organisation does not have to be registered for tax purposes.
- Any applicant group/organisation that is registered for tax purposes must be tax compliant. In line with revised tax clearance procedures, which came into effect in January 2016, the Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax Reference number must be submitted for verification purposes.
Statutory Consents - Applicants must ensure that all necessary statutory permissions or consents have been obtained before any works commence. This includes but is not confined to planning permission.
Insurance - Written evidence of valid insurance policy may be requested where relevant during the applications review process.
Acknowledgement of funding - Due to the value of some of these grants, it would not be cost-effective to require signage acknowledging the Department, Cork City Council or the LCDC. Other suitable acknowledgements will suffice e.g., on a group/organisation's website or social media platforms. Where signage is developed it should acknowledge the contribution of the Department and Cork City Council.
Match Funding - this is not a requirement under this programme.
For details on Selection Criteria, Corporate Governance and Freedom of Information please consult document
here
How to Apply
Application Form
The application form is detailed and is designed to ensure that it has the necessary information to evaluate each proposal accurately and fairly. Please ensure that you complete the application form in full and that any documentation in support of your application is submitted with your application.
Only projects that meet the criteria outlined above will be considered eligible.
PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS OR LATE APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE CONSIDERED.
Submission of false or misleading information at any stage is treated very seriously. Any organisation that does not comply with the terms and conditions of the Programme may be subject to inspection, have their grant withdrawn, be required to repay all or part of a grant and/or be barred from making applications for a period of time. All serious breaches of the terms and conditions of the Programme will be notified to An Garda Síochána.