GCCN, in collaboration with Galway City Council, held an information webinar on the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025 on Wednesday, 8 January.
This session was designed to provide community groups and clubs with the information they need to prepare for this funding opportunity, which supports projects that enhance community facilities and services.
The webinar was very well attended, and we appreciate everyone who joined us for the session.
You can watch the recording of the webinar on Youtube HERE or below.
Also, the webinar slides are available for download HERE.
Further Details on the Local Enhancement Programme 2025
The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 was launched on the 7th November 2024 by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD.
The allocation to Galway City in total is €141,688. This total amount comprises of:
- €121,447 capital funding for the Local Enhancement Programme to use towards carrying out necessary repairs and improvements to facilities, energy efficiency type projects, purchase of equipment etc.
- €20,241 current funding to be used to cover running costs e.g. rental/lease costs, utility bills, insurance costs.
The total allocation includes a maximum administration fee of 5% for LAs/LCDCs, in recognition of the additional associated clerical and assessment work involved in administering the fund on behalf of the Department. The maximum administration fee allowed is €7,084 (5% of total allocation), and this fee is only permitted to be deducted from the €121,447 Local Enhancement Programme capital funding stream.
The LEP will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, purchase equipment, for example, tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment etc. As well as with their non-pay running costs, for example, energy costs (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges) or other non-pay operating costs for example rental/lease costs, insurance bills.
The Department has recommended that LCDCs ring-fence some funding to provide small capital grants of €1,000 or less. Ring-fencing funding at this level will allow a larger volume of those with limited resources to receive some funding. The programme can also fund or partially fund larger scale projects to address disadvantage.
For your information please find HERE a copy of the notice inviting applications for funding for the Galway City administrative area and the LEP 2025 guidelines HERE for your information and reference.
The online grant application system is open for applications from Monday 13th January 2025.
Links to the online application system are as follows:
- To make an online application for the LEP capital funding, interested groups can apply here: www.galwaycity.ie/lepcapital
- To make an online application for the LEP current funding, interested groups can apply here: www.galwaycity.ie/lepcurrent
Please note that the closing date for online applications online is 4pm on Friday, 31st January 2025.
Finally, to note and acknowledge that the Local Enhancement Programme 2025 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
For any queries regarding the grant, please contact the Community Department by phone to 091-536358/091-536461 or email to candc@galwaycity.ie
All details are also available on the Galway City Council website at the link: https://www.galwaycity.ie/services/community/community-services/local-enhancement-programme-2025
