Department of Rural and Community Development
Local Enhancement Programme 2024
The Department of Rural and Community Development (“the Department”) funds the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) which provides funding to support community groups across Ireland.
The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, and to purchase equipment for example tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment etc.
Facilities improvement works may also include, but are not limited to; 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.
The scheme is designed to ensure local priorities are identified and met, so as to improve and enhance community facilities for all. It is administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area.
Applications should relate to one or more key priority areas identified in their LCDC’s Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) in order to be eligible for consideration.
Grant amounts allocated will be in the region of €500 to €2000 per community group.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- The Local Enhancement Programme will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities and purchase equipment.
- This is a capital funding scheme. The scheme does not provide funding for the pay or employment of staff, or towards current ‘operating’ costs such as utility bills, etc.
- The activity or project must benefit the local community and relate to the key priority areas identified in the LECP.
- The information supplied by the applicant group /organisation must be accurate and complete.
- Inaccurate or incomplete information may lead to disqualification and/or the repayment of any grant made.
- All information provided in respect of the application for a grant will be held electronically. The Department reserves the right to publish a list of all grants awarded on its website.
- The Freedom of Information Act applies to all records held by the Department and Local Authorities, including applications received and any additional correspondence related to the application.
- The application must be signed by the Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer of the organisation making the submission.
- It is the responsibility of each organisation to ensure that it has proper procedures and policies in place, including appropriate insurance, where relevant.
- No expenditure should be incurred prior to grant approval - it is not possible to fund items purchased prior to acceptance of Letter of Offer.
- Evidence of expenditure, receipts /invoices must be retained and provided to the LCDC, the Department of Rural and Community Development, the relevant local authority or any agent acting on their behalf if requested.
- Grant monies must be expended and drawn down from the LCDC by 31st October 2024. Photographic evidence may be required to facilitate draw down of grants.
- The Department of Rural and Community Development’s contribution must be publicly acknowledged in all materials associated with the purpose of the grant, including signage.
- Generally, no third party or intermediary applications will be considered.
- Late applications will not be considered.
- Breaches of the terms and conditions of the grants scheme may result in sanctions including disbarment from future grant applications.
- Please ensure the application form is completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.
- In order to process your application it may be necessary for Tipperary County Council to collect personal data from you. Such information will be processed in line with the Local Authority’s privacy statement which is available to view on https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/your-council/tipperary-county-council-privacy-statement.
For queries relating to this scheme, email ecrdgrants@tipperarycoco.ie
Any not-for-profit community or voluntary group can apply.
Commercial organisations and individuals are not eligible for funding
Applicants are obliged to be a member of Tipperary Public Participation Network (PPN), which is a database of all the active community and voluntary, social inclusion and environmental organisations in your area. Criteria for becoming a member of the PPN can be found
here.
You will be requested to enter your PPN number as part of this application form. Registration details can be found
here.
Successful applications for funding under this programme will only be paid to the applicant organisation’s Bank Account. Please ensure you have your Bank Account details to hand if your application is successful.
Costs 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
The scheme is designed to ensure local priorities are identified and met, so as to improve and enhance community facilities for all.
Target groups
This funding is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantage as identified in the LECP.
Costs not eligible for funding
The following expenditure is not eligible for funding:
Any project not in keeping with the ethos of the Programme
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
Utility Bills
General operating costs