Local Enhancement Programme 2025

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Local Enhancement Programme 2025

The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Please see the following link to the press release announcing the Local Enhancement Programme 2025 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

Call for Funding Submissions under the Local Enhancement Programme 2025

Wexford County Council in conjunction with Wexford Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) invites applications for funding submissions under the Local Enhancement Programme 2025.

The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 (LEP) is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

What level of funding is available?

Wexford County Council has been allocated a total of €253,227 in funding for Groups across the County (€217,051 for Capital Funding, €36,175 for Non-Pay Running Costs).

The Local Enhancement Programme will support community groups and organisations, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

  • Groups will be able to apply for the capital element of funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, or purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment etc. 
  • Groups will be able to use the non-pay running costs element of funding to support any non-pay running costs incurred as a result of the function of the group: for example energy costs/bills (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges), rental/lease costs, insurance bills.

Grant applications are limited to a maximum of €5,000 under the Capital Funding element of the programme, and to a maximum of €500 under the Non-Pay Running Costs element of the programme. Groups are permitted to apply under both funding elements, but in the event that the programme is oversubscribed, the LCDC may decide to provide funding to only one application per group.

Evidence of expenditure, receipts /invoices must be retained and provided to the LCDC or their representative if requested.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any not-for-profit community or voluntary group can apply.

Commercial organisations and individuals are not eligible for funding.

Organisations NOT eligible for funding

Commercial organisations and individuals are not eligible for funding.

What projects are eligible for funding?

Please note that projects up to a maximum of €5,000 can be funded under the Capital Scheme and day-to-day costs of up to €500 can be funded under the Current Scheme.

The following provides a non-exhaustive list of projects that could receive funding under the programme:

  • Development/renovation of community centres
  • Accessibility improvements
  • Community amenities
  • Development of youth clubs or facilities
  • Development of sports/recreation facilities
  • Improvements to town parks and common areas and spaces
  • CCTV equipment
  • Public realm improvements
  • Street-scaping
  • Development of play/recreation spaces
  • Improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs
  • Purchase of equipment
  • Purchase of laptops, tablets
  • Maintenance of premises, including painting and repairs
  • Capital work to increase biodiversity, or to reduce the carbon footprint of a facility
  • Cleaning equipment
  • Energy costs (electricity costs, refuse charges, heating charges) – current funding only
  • Operating costs (existing rental/lease costs, insurance bills) – current funding only
  • Website Maintenance – current funding only
  • Audit & Accountancy fees– current funding only

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.

This funding is targeted towards supporting communities that are impacted by disadvantage as identified in the LECP.

What is not eligible for funding?

The following expenditure is not eligible for funding:

  • Any project not in keeping with the ethos of the Programme

  • Employment costs

  • Legal fees

  • Project management fees

  • Purchase of lands or buildings

  • Feasibility studies

  • Private or commercial operations

  • Costs which are being paid for by another funder or department

Match-funding

This is not a requirement under this programme.

How to apply

Apply online by clicking here https://wexford-self.achieveservice.com/service/LEP2024

Guidelines are available by clicking HERE. 

Queries can be emailed to community@wexfordcoco.ie or by phoning 053-919 6427

Deadline for receipt of completed applications is by or on 21st February, 2025 at 13:00 

Late applications will NOT be accepted.