Funding available for communities in Kilkenny that have supported Ukrainians

A major funding initiative to support local communities who have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries is currently open for applications.

This major initiative is the first of its kind and Kilkenny County Council have been given €948,063 out of an overall national pot of €50 million to allocate.

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Among the projects that will be supported under the fund include:
1) The refurbishment of local sports clubs and facilities.
2) The upgrade of community facilities such as play areas, walkways, parks and community gardens.
3) The purchase of equipment to benefit local clubs, festivals, music and arts organisations.
4) The enhancement of school or parish facilities that are open to the wider community after hours or on weekends.
5) Transport initiatives such as community vehicles and bus shelters.

Projects will be delivered by local authorities in conjunction with community organisations.

The funding aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community.
Projects situated in areas that do not have high levels of new arrivals will not be deemed eligible.

At a recent meeting of Kilkenny County Council, elected officials were informed that the local authority will be seeking ‘shovel-ready’ applications for projects that can be delivered in 2023-2024.

Proposed projects must not have ongoing operational or running costs and all projects proposed must be completed by October 18, 2024.

The funding available in Kilkenny has been divided by local area electoral districts based on how many Ukrainian refugees have been accommodated there.

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For example, Kilkenny City Municipal District tops the list, receiving 72% of the funding allocation whereas Piltown Municipal District is on the other end of the scale and will receive only 4%.

Elsewhere, Castlecomer Municipal District will receive 13% of the funding and Callan-Thomastown Municipal District will recieve 11%.

Applicants will have to outline how the proposed project will deliver tangible benefits to the community.

They will also be asked to state if any element of this proposal has previously been approved under a Government Department’s scheme.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, stated that the funding ‘is recognising the vital role our communities are playing as we continue to deal with many challenges, not least the war in Ukraine’.

“I would like to encourage communities to engage directly with their local authorities in the coming weeks to ensure that high quality projects can be delivered, benefitting their towns and villages for years to come,” she said.

“The projects that will be supported are those that will benefit all members of our communities, young and old.

“I want our local authorities to be as flexible and work closely with my department to deliver high quality projects.”

Got a project in mind that suits the criteria? For further information, contact Fiona Deegan, Ukrainian Response Unit at Kilkenny County Council – 086 4114935.

Funding proposals can be submitted to the Department as soon as they are ready but no later than March 15, 2023.