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Community Centres Investment Fund
From Department of Rural and Community Development
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We recognise the vital role that Community Centres play at the heart of each community in bringing people together, engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged, and building stronger, more coherent communities.
The Community Centres Investment Fund is the largest ever capital investment in Community Centres. It provides funding for investments in Community Centres in order that these vital services remain useable, accessible, and safe and continue to meet the needs of the community into the future.
This capital fund of €20 million will provide funding for the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres in both urban and rural areas.
Funding will be available under 2 Categories, with grants of between €10,000 and €100,000 available:
- Category 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities - €10,000 to €25,000
- Category 2 Larger scale projects - €25,001 to €100,000
Match funding is required for both Categories: a minimum of 5% for Category 1 and a minimum of 10% for Category 2.
Funding is available for capital works such as: -
- Projects which improve access for all to community facilities
- Works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities
- Improvements to buildings that improve the usability of the facility e.g. kitchen and toilet upgrades, lighting systems and stage areas
- Improvements that will assist the applicant in providing additional or better services to the community for example additional facilities, repurposing existing space, kitchen upgrades to provide meals for the elderly and youth facilities
- Improvements to facilities which are necessary to meet fire safety and building regulations
- Retrofitting/energy upgrade projects that improve the usability or longevity of the facility and reduce energy bills
- Essential maintenance work
The portal to submit an application is now open. Please note, applicants need to register as 'users' on the 'MyPobal' portal in advance. The closing date for applications is September 5th 2024 at 3pm.
The 'MyPobal' portal is open for new applicants to register or for previous applicants to check their details. It can be accessed via this link .
A tutorial video to support you in registering can be found here on Youtube .
The Department is hosting a number of online information events to support committees in preparing and submitting an application under this fund.
Information Event - Community Centres Investment Fund 2024: Refurbishment Grant
25th June 2024
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Application Clinics will take place on August 7th and 20th. Details on how to register for these clinics is available here.
An information event on public procurement requirements will take place on August 13th. Registration for this event is available here.
Support for new applicants with regard to Tax Clearance Certificates and Tax Clearance Access Numbers (TCAN’s), can be found here; Applications for unregistered voluntary bodies (revenue.ie)
Answers to Frequently asked questions about the fund and Information Guidelines can be accessed in the documents below.
Frequently Asked Questions - Community Centres Investment Fund 2024: Refurbishment Grant
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Application Guidelines - Community Centres Investment Fund 2024: Refurbishment Grant
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A sample application form can be accessed below, please note this is for information purposes only and not to be used to apply, applications will only be accepted via the online portal.
Application Form - Community Centres Investment Fund 2024: Refurbishment Grant
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To demonstrate the types of projects that have been funded under the 2022 Community centre Investment Fund Refurbishment grant, a selection of case studies can be accesses in this document:
Case Studies - Community Centres Investment Fund 2024: Refurbishment grant
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Please submit any further queries or requests to be added to the mailing list to onlinesupport@pobal.ie
- The Community Centres Investment Fund – New Builds Measure was launched in 2023 to invest circa €20 million in new build multi-functional community centres with a minimum grant of €1,000,000 up to a maximum of €6,000,000.
- The Community Centres Investment Fund New Build – sought applications for projects on brown or green field sites that had all the necessary planning and consents secured so they were already at an advanced stage and ready to commence following a tender process.
- Following a competitive assessment process, an investment of over €30 million, which will deliver 12 new community centres nationwide has been approved.
- The twelve successful community centre projects, will receive capital grants of between €1 million and €6 million to build multi-functional centres in areas that currently lack community facilities.
List of the successful projects under of the Community Centres Investment Fund 2023 – New Build
| County | Group Name | Lead Party | CCIF Funding Awarded |
| Carlow | Tullow Road Community Hub | Carlow County Council | €4,135,178 |
| Cork | Rylane Community Centre | IRD Dunhallow | €1,595,574 |
| Galway | Aras Lae , Maigh Cuilinn | Údarás an Gaeltachta | €6,000,000 |
| Galway (City) | Newcastle Community Centre | Galway City Council | €4,343,255 |
| Mayo | Ballina Scouting Den and Community Centre | Mayo North East | €1,152,193 |
| Meath | Kilcloon Community Centre | Meath County Council | €1,915,000 |
| Monaghan | Rockcorry Community Centre | Monaghan County Council | €2,667,785 |
| Offaly | Moneygall Community Centre | Offaly County Council | €1,407,660 |
| Sligo | Ballymote Community Centre | Sligo County Council | €2,650,991 |
| Sligo | Kilglass Community Centre | Sligo County Council | €1,163,710 |
| Wexford | Ballymitty Community Development | Wexford County Council | €1,398,035 |
| Wexford | Riverchapel Community Centre | Wexford County Council | €1,797,919 |
| Total | €30,227,300 |
In 2022 capital funding of over €45 million was provided for the improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres in both urban and rural areas.
Funding was available under 3 Categories, with grants of up to €300,000 available:
- Category 1: Small scale projects/improvements to facilities - up to €25,000
- Category 2: Larger scale projects - €25,001 to €100,000
- Category 3: Major projects - €100,001 to €300,000
Funding was available for capital works such as:
- works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities
- energy retrofitting, new windows / doors / heating systems
- upgrades to lighting systems and stage areas
- works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits
- works to improve disability access
- improvements to assist in providing additional or better services to the community such as meals for the elderly and youth facilities
- works to develop Community Centres as Social Hubs through the development of Community Cinemas, Youth Hubs and Community Libraries
- essential maintenance works (e.g. roof repairs)
Successful projects under Categories 1, 2 and 3 of the Community Centres Investment Fund can be viewed here .
If you have any questions about the Community Centres Investment Fund please contact CCIF@drcd.gov.ie