Local Enhancement Programme

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, announced €7 million in funding under the “Department of Rural and Community Development Local Enhancement Programme 2025”.  Please click here to view the press release.

The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 will consist of €6 million in capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas.

A further €1 million in current funding is available for Community Groups, including Men’s Sheds and Women’s Sheds, to assist with their energy and running costs, to help them continue their important work within the community. Special consideration will be given but not limited to Graveyard Committees, Community Youth Groups and projects to improve disability access.

The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) and the final approval of grants will be a matter for the LCDC. Any not-for-profit community or voluntary group can apply. Commercial organisations and individuals are not eligible for funding.

Limerick has received an allocation of €264,712 for projects under the Scheme to assist community groups across the county.  This support is available to Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, ICA Groups, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s Sheds, Women’s Sheds and more.

The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas

• Groups will be able to use the capital element of funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment (Max Amt. €5,000).
• Groups will be able to use the current element of funding to support their non-pay running costs for example energy costs/bills (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges) or other non-pay operating costs for example rental/lease costs, insurance bills. Only energy/operating costs relating to 1st June 2024 to 30th May 2025 are eligible (Max Amt. €1,000).

The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas to carry out necessary repairs and small capital works/improvements to their facilities, and/or the purchase of equipment for community use, such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment etc.

All applications for funding under this programme will be reviewed and assessed to ensure consistency with the Limerick Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP).

In deciding the final allocations of funding to projects, the LCDC may take account of a number of factors including geographical balance, previous funding received by the applicant and the desirability to fund a variety of projects. The relative disadvantage of the area where the facility is located or the area it serves will form part of the decision process along with cross-reference being made to the HP (Hasse Pobal) Deprivation Index. Click here for link.

Before you start – We recommend that you have the following to hand

• Charitable Status Number (if applicable)
• Tax Reference Number (if applicable)
• Tax Clearance Access Number (if applicable)
• Letter from Revenue dated within the last three months stating whether your group/organisation is registered for VAT (if applicable)
• Details of Previous funding /grants received e.g. LEADER, CEP etc.
• XY ITM Coordinates – View Simple Guide to finding XY coordinates here
• Bank Statement Header – recent and in applicant group name
• Quotations will be required for capital funding. You will be presented with further details in Section 2
• Supporting documentation for current funding e.g utility bills will be required. You will be presented with further information in Section 2
• Your application is dependent on the submission of these supporting documents

How To Apply

Application forms can be completed online via the following link. The closing date for submission of applications is extended to 12 noon 7th February 2025.

• Please review the Scheme Guidelines in full for all information here.
• All questions on the form must be answered and supporting documentation uploaded where specified. 
• Any queries can be directed by email to lep@limerick.ie or by phone to 061-55 6344 or 061-55 7167

Closing date will be strictly adhered to.