Council allocates €2.1 million to support local communities

Dublin City Council has announced the allocation of €2,140,584 in funding under the Community Recognition Fund.

This allocation is being made from the €50 million in funding recently announced by the Department of Community and Rural Development under the fund. The Community Recognition Fund (CRF), established to acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by communities across Ireland in welcoming and hosting arrivals from Ukraine and other countries, aims to bolster community resilience and cohesion.

The funding will be directed towards projects located in Dublin city, towns and villages hosting Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants, including those identified for the rapid build homes programme. These projects are intended to benefit the entire community, aligning with the fund’s objective to develop facilities for future use by all members of society.

Building upon the success of the 2023 allocation, where €50 million was distributed among 900 projects nationwide, an additional €50 million has been provided for the 2024 Community Recognition Fund. This renewed commitment underscores the ongoing support for communities in accommodating new arrivals and fostering inclusivity.

Dublin City Council emphasises the importance of community engagement in shaping the allocation of funds. Proposals submitted by the local authority will be developed in consultation with impacted communities, Local Community Development Committees (LCDC), and elected representatives. These proposals must align with Local Economic and Community Plans and demonstrate targeted investment in areas with the highest concentration of new arrivals.

Eligible projects for funding must be capital in nature, delivering medium to long-term benefits for the community. They should be capable of implementation between 2025 and 2026, with a minimum expenditure of 50% of the allocation required in 2025. While the focus is on larger-scale projects, with individual funding ranging from €50,000 to €500,000, smaller initiatives will be considered provided they meet the minimum threshold.

Projects eligible for funding include the development, enhancement, or refurbishment of community and cultural facilities, sports facilities, school facilities open for community use, equipment purchases for local clubs and organisations, transport infrastructure, initiatives addressing dereliction, and refurbishment of vacant buildings for community use.

In a departure from previous approaches, Dublin City Council will reserve a portion of its allocation for proposals submitted under the third application window, ensuring flexibility to address evolving community needs.