The funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in cities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants. The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It is separate in its objectives and scope to any other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.

The Community Recognition Fund was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects in support cities, towns and villages nationwide. Based on the continued impacts on communities throughout the country and the need to support these communities in welcoming new arrivals, a further €50 million was announced by Minister Humphreys and Minister O’Brien on 15th March, 2024. Of this fund, €1,002,434 is allocated to County Roscommon. 

Funding is targeted at and specifically invested in those communities, villages and towns where the highest level of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified. Projects situated in areas that do not have high levels of new arrivals will not be deemed eligible.

Projects to be funded will be capital in nature, deliver medium-long term benefits for the communities in which they are located, and be capable of being delivered over the course of 2025 and 2026. A minimum spend of 50% of the allocation must be incurred in 2025. Eligible projects will receive funding for capital costs, but not for any ongoing operational or running costs. 

Window 3

The minimum level of funding for an individual Project is €50,000.

Roscommon County Council have identified areas of priority throughout the county and these areas include Athlone, Ballaghaderreen, Ballinlough, Ballyleague, Boyle, Castlerea, Donamon, Frenchpark, Rooskey  and Roscommon Town.

Local authorities have scope to invest the funding based on their own distinct local needs as identified through a “bottom-up” approach based on community engagement.

Communities with new arrivals are encouraged to identify supports and needs in the community that would benefit the whole community.  Examples of eligible projects under this initiative include, but not exclusively, 

• development, enhancement or refurbishment of community or cultural facilities including play areas, walkways, parks, community/sensory gardens, allotments, and recreational areas;
• development, enhancement or refurbishment of local club and sports facilities including facilities such as community swimming pools, changing rooms, toilets, digital aids such as score / information boards etc.;
• enhancement to school/parish facilities which are open to use by all of the community after school hours;
• purchase of equipment for local clubs, festivals, community events and organisations e.g. music, arts or sports equipment;
• transport infrastructure such as the purchase of community vehicles, bus shelters and attendant information boards; (any vehicle funded must be in good condition and not more than 5 years old)
• projects that help address dereliction and/or wider local economic and community development objectives;
• purchase and refurbishment of vacant or derelict buildings for community use where a clear need is identified.

Purchase of land and associated works for the development of community facilities such as play areas/ MUGAs or town parks/ community gardens, recreational areas etc. (purchases must only be administered by the local authority).

Please ensure that your group is a registered member of Roscommon PPN.  For information on this, email info@roscommonppn.ie

Application Process

The application window will open for the third tranche of Expressions of Interest (EOI) on the 16th December, 2024.

Click   to access the CRF 2024 - Window 3 EOI Form.

Following the outages that occurred on Friday, it has been decided to extend the closing date for receipt of Expression of Interest to Monday 27th January.  Any applications received after that date will not be accepted. 

Interested groups should consider the requirements of the project, possible costs involved and plan their application carefully.  The funding will be a competitive process and where numerous applications come from areas that are identified as high need, groups should endeavour to answer all parts of the application form fully.  Projects should be specific, time bound, show clear costings and planning throughout, and be achievable within the timeframes involved.  Any planning issues should be clearly identified. 

Important things to note in submitting your application:

• Only towns & villages that are hosting high levels of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicants are eligible for this funding
• All applications should include as much information as possible including details of any organisation or community group which you represent.
• All submissions are subject to the Data Protection Act (as amended) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (as amended) and the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (as amended).
• Submissions will be accepted up to close of business on Monday 27th January, 2025

If you have any queries about this funding, please email crf2024@roscommoncoco.ie

Online Webinar

The recording of the online Webinar hosted on Wed 8th Jan is available to watch here.