Cork County Council has €95,000 in community funding to give to community groups and local organisations who would like to undertake development projects in their area.

The aim of the scheme is to provide flexible financial support to community groups and organisations in North Cork who wish to undertake infrastructural projects costing over €25,000 which will improve the range and quality of community based facilities in their area. Examples would be sporting facilities, community halls, etc.

The scheme will focus on giving support in the areas of youth and the aged, health and education, development and support of sustainable community and voluntary effort, match funding linked to third party funding lines and community contracts.

Community groups and organisations within North Cork must be registered with Cork County Community and Voluntary Forum to qualify. Proposals from individuals won’t be considered. Ineligible projects include the purchase of buildings or land except where such purchase forms part of the provision of facilities; running costs of project such as wages, electricity, etc., activities where other funding is clearly available, servicing of debt, training and development which are the responsibility of other Government departments, ie: the Department of Education or Health.

The level of funding allocated will depend on a range of factors including the type of project, the availability of other sources of funding and the overall number of applications seeking funding under the scheme.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, July 19. Application forms are available from the county council’s Annabella office in Mallow. Call 022-30484 or 54809 for forms or more information. Local councillors Noel McCarthy and Tadhg O’Donovan, who have a supply of the forms, are urging local groups and organisations to take advantage of the scheme, pointing out that it’s a valuable funding stream in these straitened times. They are available to offer information or assistance to any local club or group who’d like to learn more.