Cork County Council is inviting organisations working to improve the lives of people across County Cork to apply for funding under the 2021 Social Enterprise Capital Grant Scheme.
The scheme, which provides small grants up to a maximum of €3,000 to Social Enterprises towards the cost of capital projects, can be used for refurbishments, repairs or to purchase new equipment. Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development from the Dormant Accounts Fund, the grants are administered by the three Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) of Cork County Council.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Gillian Coughlan, is encouraging Social Enterprise groups to apply, saying, “Social Enterprises are working in, and for, communities, towns and villages across Cork County to improve all of our lives, from supporting disadvantaged groups to addressing issues such as food poverty, social housing or environmental matters. The funding available through this Capital Grant Scheme will support Social Enterprise groups to improve their service delivery. It also further underscores the Department of Rural and Community Development’s commitment under the National Social Enterprise Policy 2019-2022 to growing and strengthening Social Enterprise throughout Ireland.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, added, “The grants will be administered by the Council’s Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in North, South and West Cork. The aim of LCDCs is to enhance the strategic planning and coordination of local and community development activity, evidenced in their track record of administering similar supports at a local level. I strongly encourage Social Enterprises in County Cork, who are already providing such a valuable service, to apply for this grant and facilitate improvements in facilities or purchase new equipment, enabling them to help even more.”
The maximum grant available under this programme is €3,000 and applications are limited to one per social enterprise group. Applications can be made online at www.yourcouncil.ie. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 8th October at 4:00pm. Successful applicants will be notified in late November with all allocated monies to be spent and claimed by 31st March, 2022.
For further information, please contact the Local Community Development Unit, Cork County Council on 021- 4285561, 021-4285295 or email communitydevelopmentunit@
