Community Support Fund 2022

Department of Rural and Community Development

Community Support Fund (CSF)

under the Community Enhancement Programme 2022

Longford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) invites applications from community groups for the Community Support Fund (CSF) under the Community Enhancement Programme Apply Here

The CSF is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Press release on the launch of the CSF 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.

The CSF will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas -

With their non-pay running costs such as energy costs (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges), rental/lease costs, insurance bills. To ensure appropriate monitoring and governance, the Department states that energy/operating/running costs incurred in the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 are eligible. This period's costs which were grant aided under the Community Activities Fund (CAF) are ineligible.
Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, purchase equipment for e.g. such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment etc.

Target groups

This funding is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantage as identified in the County Longford Local Economic and Community Plan 2016 – 2022 (LECP).

What level of funding is available?

€10m has been provided nationally with €276,585 allocated to Longford LCDC.

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. Ring-fencing funding at this level will allow a larger volume of those with limited resources to receive some funding.
Funding of €2,766 has been ring-fenced towards operating costs for Women’s Sheds.
The programme can also fund or partially fund larger-scale projects to address disadvantage.
If the programme is oversubscribed, all applications fulfilling the conditions may not be successful or offers of funding may be for a lesser amount than that sought by the applicant.
In deciding the final allocations of funding to projects, the LCDC may take into account a number of factors including geographical balance and the desirability to fund a variety of different projects
See Application Guidelinesfor further details including selection criteria.

How to apply

Online applications must be completed by the chairperson, secretary or treasurer of the community group.

Before starting your application you should:

Familiarise yourself with the T&C’s and Guidelines
Have your Tax Reference Number ready. (This is required by Longford County Council to verify tax clearance status if applicable and will also be used when submitting returns to Revenue as required.)
Have your ITM co-ordinates (Simple Guide to Irish Grid Reference Finder)
Register with Longford Public Participation Network
For equipment or the upgrade of facilities - If your total project cost is €1,000 or less, please upload estimates/quotes from a minimum of one supplier. If your total project cost is more than €1,000, please upload estimates/quotes from a minimum of three different independent suppliers.

You are advised to start your online application as soon as possible. You do not have to complete your application in one go, you can pause and save your online application form in draft format any time. When you have completed your application form press the ‘submit’ button. These instructional videos to a similar online grant scheme may be of help to you; Registration, Navigating, Accessing a draft

CSF 2022 Application - Apply Here

Closing date for submission of online applications and all supporting documentation is

4pm on Tuesday, 7 February 2023

LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

For any queries, please email LCDC@longfordcoco.ie or telephone: 043 3343472/ 3343307/ 3343456

Important note; Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS)

Organisations that are incorporated as Companies Limited by Guarantee or as Co-operatives and/or are registered charities, that have an electricity (MPRN) and/or gas (GPRN) account in their name, should apply to the CVESS in respect of their energy costs. Such organisations may apply under the CSF for support in respect of other running costs or for facility enhancements, only.

UPDATE: 27 January 2023: The Applications Portal for the (CVESS) remains open for applications and will close on 24 February 2023. – see Community and Voluntary Sector Energy Support Scheme - Pobal

Unincorporated or small voluntary organisations may apply under the CSF for support for energy costs as well as other running costs and facility enhancements.

Data Privacy;The purpose of processing personal data collected on this application form is to assist Longford LCDC/Longford County Council manage and administer your application. We process this Personal Data under Article (6)(1)(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR),” processing is necessary for the performance of the contract to which that data subject is party”. Further information on how Longford County Council process your personal data and your rights can be found on our Privacy Statement available on our website longfordcoco.ie under Your Council , Data Protection.