Heather Humphreys TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, has announced a €20 million funding initiative to aid the upgrade and refurbishment of community centres nationwide.

Under the Community Centres Investment Fund 2024 , community organisations will be supported with grants of between €10,000 - €100,000 to develop and improve their existing community facilities.

Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said: "I'm delighted to announce a new round of €20 million in funding to support the upgrade, renovation and refurbishment of community centres across the country.

"In good times and bad, our community centres provide the physical space for friends, neighbours and those who are socially isolated to come together. This funding is all about giving a helping hand to our local community groups to improve their own local community spaces.

"I am encouraging all local groups to consider how a grant could support them in developing their community facility. Whether it be to upgrade the kitchen, the provision of toilet facilities, or perhaps to carry out small renovation works – this funding is designed to support community groups to make the improvements they need in their Community Centre."

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The 'Community Centre Investment Fund 2024 – Refurbishment' will offer grants ranging from €10,000 to a maximum of €100,000 for capital costs associated with eligible projects.

This is broken down into two categories of funding:

Category 1:

Small scale projects/improvements to facilities: €10,000 - €25,000.

Category 2:

Larger scale projects: €25,001 to €100,000.

Minister Humphreys added: "The funding I am announcing today brings the total investment I have provided for Community Centres since 2022 to over €95 million. I have already visited many of the projects that have received funding under this initiative – and it’s clear to me the positive difference the investment is having on the ground. I want to once again urge all community groups to engage in this process and I look forward to seeing the type of projects that come forward.

"We have tried to make the application process as simple as possible and we will also be hosting a series of information sessions over the summer months to help give support and advice to Community Groups when putting their applications together."

The scheme will be delivered in conjunction with Pobal. Applicants must register on the online portal before the application process opens on 29 July 2024. Groups that applied before need not register again but should update their details if necessary.

Groups should prepare their applications and documents before the 29 July start date. The closing date for applications will be 29 August 2024. There will be a number of online information events to assist potential applicants, the first of which will take place on Tuesday 25 June.