Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, have today announced €4.5 million to support community groups impacted by Covid-19.The 2021 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) will provide small grants designed to assist in the re-opening of facilities such as community centres, men’s and women’s sheds, parish halls and youth centres.
The grants will range from a few hundred euro up to €10,000, however, exceptions will be made depending on the application.The funding is to help groups and clubs get back on their feet and may be used to carry out necessary renovations and repairs or to purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies, training equipment and so on.
The Community Enhancement Programme, which to date has supported over 8,000 projects, places a focus on supporting groups in disadvantaged areas.The key theme of this year’s programme is supporting groups as they their re-open facilities which have been closed due to Covid-19.
As the grants are relatively small, this programme may appeal to groups that are not eligible for the €10 million COVID Stability Fund, which was launched last week.
Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said:“This funding is about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs, which are the lifeblood of our communities.As we come out of Covid-19, so many of these organisations will incur specific costs relating to the re-opening of their facilities.”
Also announcing the funding today, Minister O’Brien said:“The CEP is a really practical support to smaller community groups and facilities that are active at a grassroots level. This past year has, once again, shown the importance of a vibrant Community and Voluntary sector.“