The Local Enhancement Programme 2024

Background

The Local Enhancement Programme 2024, with a national fund of €6m, will provide capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas. 

The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Please see the following link to the press release announcing the Local Enhancement Programme 2024 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: Press release

The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas to:

• focus on small capital works/repairs/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use such as improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.

Donegal LCDC have been allocated funds for award under the Programme. This total amount comprises of:

€210,000 capital funding for the Local Enhancement Programme to use towards carrying out necessary repairs and improvements to facilities, energy efficiency type projects, purchase of equipment etc

• Large grants in the sum of €5,000 to €10,000 - €21,000 total budget available per Municipal District

• Small Grants up to a maximum of €1,000 - €21,000 total budget available per Municipal District

 €43,129.48 capital funding ring-fenced for Women’s Groups. The funding is capital in nature for community projects and groups that support the ethos of women’s sheds and other such groups, clubs, societies or projects aimed at providing social networks for women

• Large grants in the sum of €1,000 to €3,000
• Small Grants up to a maximum of €1,000.            

*Please note Women’s Groups can apply for both funds.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any not-for-profit community or voluntary group based in Donegal can apply.

Commercial organisations and individuals are not eligible for funding.

What projects are eligible for funding?

The following provides a non-exhaustive list of projects that could receive capital funding under the programme:

• Development/renovation of community centres
• Accessibility improvements
• Community amenities
• Development of youth clubs or facilities
• Development of sports/recreation facilities
• Improvements to town parks and common areas and spaces
• CCTV equipment
• Public realm improvements
• Streetscaping
• Development of play/recreation spaces
• Improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs
• Purchase of equipment
• Purchase of laptops, tablets
• Maintenance of premises, including painting and repairs
• Capital work to increase biodiversity, or to reduce the carbon footprint of a facility
• Cleaning (not running costs)

*Costs incurred between the dates of January 29^th 2024 and December 6^th 2024 are deemed eligible expenditure.

* All funding must be drawn down by December 6^th 2024.

Target groups

This funding is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantage as identified in the LECP.

What is not eligible for funding?

The following expenditure is not eligible for funding:

• Any project not in keeping with the ethos of the Programme
• Utility Bills
• General operating costs
• 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

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 this application form in full and that any documentation in support of your application is submitted with your application e.g. groups bank/credit union statement etc.

ALL APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE RETURNED TO:

• Donegal LCDC, Community Development Section, Donegal County Council, Station Island, Lifford, F93 X7PK, Co Donegal

• Or by email to [email protected] on or before the closing date

By 3.30pm on Monday 26th February 2024

CLOSING DATE WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO. 

Application Forms/Supporting Documentation

• Application form for LEP 2024 General
• Application form for LEP 2024 Womens Groups
• Guidelines for LEP 2024
• LECP Goals Strategic Themes (1)
• A Simple Guide How to find location XY ITM

The Irish Version of Forms will be uploaded when they become available.