Cork County Council has recently allocated over €1.6million in funding to a range of community, voluntary and sporting organisations through the Council’s annual Community Fund Scheme.

Each year, the scheme contributes financial support to hundreds of community and voluntary organisations around the County. Administered by the Council’s eight Municipal Districts, applicants apply for financial assistance under three distinct funds; Capital Fund, Community Contract and Amenity Fund.

Now in its 6th year the Community Fund Scheme has delivered and enhanced a host of beneficial projects across Cork County. Some examples of projects awarded funding this year include:

• Allihies Parish Co-Operative Society were allocated €10,000 for a new Coastal Education Hub at the Allihies Copper Mine Museum.
• A Capital Grant of €10,000 was awarded to Glanworth Community Development for a Tennis Court & MultiUse Games Area and floodlighting.
• Crosshaven Community Association has been allocated €9,976 under the Amenity Grant Scheme towards a new Tourist Information Office in Crosshaven town centre.

Midleton Marketing and Christmas Lights Partnership Ltd. received a grant of €30,000 to maintain and extend the Christmas Festive Lighting and Decorations Scheme in support of businesses in Midleton.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, welcomed the news, saying:

“This fund has supported a diverse range of projects and community initiatives, from local infrastructure, sports and leisure facilities to tidy towns and much more over the years. Our communities across the County take great pride in their locality and are very proactive in driving local improvements. I am delighted that Cork County Council can support the wide and varied range of projects that have successfully secured funding this year. More than ever we need our towns and villages to be accessible, attractive and vibrant places.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added:

“This year we made over €1.8million available to communities through our General Municipal Allocation, with over €1.6million of this made available directly through the Community Fund Scheme. This scheme is an opportunity for the many community and voluntary groups across the County to avail of direct financial support for their improvement projects. With Project ACT, Cork County Council is committed to supporting our communities in their efforts to enhance and improve the quality of life within our towns and villages and to help communities to reinvigorate our local economies as we emerge from restrictions. Maintaining and continually improving quality of life across our county is a hugely important element to this. ”

Chairman of Kinsale Tidy Towns and member of Kinsale’s Town Team, Charles Henderson spoke of the importance of the scheme locally:

“This fund is hugely significant for Kinsale, the support received through this year’s Community Fund Scheme will help us to deliver a number of projects including the replanting of urban trees at Butchers Row, updating street furniture and new tourist information signage. Working alongside Cork County Council’s Project ACT, both locals and tourists to Kinsale will benefit greatly from these projects as they will increase the appeal of the area and also enhance the town for the enjoyment of all.”

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