Local Enhancement Programme 2025 - Applications for Current Funding/Operating Costs

Closed6 Jan, 2025, 09:00 - 10 Feb, 2025, 09:00

Local Enhancement Programme 2025

Department of Rural and Community Development

The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 (LEP) is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Please see the following link for a press release on the launch of the LEP at national level by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD: Press Release

The Department of Rural and Community Development’s Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 will provide current funding, for non-pay running costs, essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged communities, in rural and urban areas.

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 the LCDC’s Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) in order to be eligible for consideration.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  1. The €1 million current funding under the Local Enhancement Programme will support Community groups/organisations particularly in disadvantaged areas, to support their non-pay running costs for example energy costs/bills (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges), rental/lease costs, insurance bills.
  2. This is a current funding scheme. The scheme does not provide funding for capital works, equipment etc. this can be applied for under the capital allocation of the funding.
  3. The information supplied by the applicant Community Group/Organisation must be accurate and complete.
  4. Inaccurate or incomplete information may lead to disqualification and/or the repayment of any grant made.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.  
  7. The application must be signed by the Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer of the organisation making the application.
  8. It is the responsibility of each organisation to ensure that it has proper procedures and policies in place including appropriate insurance where relevant.
  9. Evidence of expenditure, including invoices, receipts and bank statements, 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.
  10. Grant monies must be expended and drawn down from the LCDC by 31st October 2025. 
  11. The Department of Rural and Community Development’s contribution must be publicly acknowledged in all materials associated with the purpose of the grant.
  12. Generally, no third party or intermediary applications will be considered.
  13. Late applications will not be considered.
  14. To ensure appropriate monitoring and governance, the Department is stating that only operating/running costs related to this period are eligible - 1st June 2024 to 30th May 2025
  15. Applications must be accompanied by a bill/bills, in the applicant group's name only, that fell due and were paid between 1st June 2024 and 31st January 2025. Evidence of payment must also be attached to the application, e.g. bank statement, supplier statement, Section 30 receipt for insurance etc. Please contact lep2025@mayococo.ie for further information on evidence of payment.
  16. Grantees will be required to comply with the highest standard of transparency and accountability as documented in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds http://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/per/2014/13.pdfThe overall principle is that there should be transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, in line with economy, efficiency and effectiveness. The circular outlines, for example, that grant recipients should not dispose of publicly funded assets without prior approval.
  17. Breaches of the terms and conditions of the grants scheme may result in sanctions including disbarment from future grant applications.
  18. Please ensure the application form is completed in full.  Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.
  19. In order to process your application, it may be necessary for Mayo LCDC 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 Privacy and Data Protection policy at Mayo County Council .

ALL APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED TO MAYO LCDC ONLINE

Closing Date Extended to Monday 10th February at 9.00am

CLOSING DATE WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO

If you have any queries, please email the Community Section at  lep2025@mayococo.ie or call 094 – 906 4660

Please read the LEP 2025 Application Guidelines for the Local Enhancement Programme before completing this form.

 

 

 


[1] The Department operates the Local Enhancement Programme through the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs).  It is a grant programme that provides funding to enhance facilities in disadvantaged areas.  The Department is committed to funding of €7 million for this programme. The €1 million current funding is part of the €7 million funding.

 

The closing date has passed and submissions are no longer being accepted.