Each year Kilkenny County Council contributes €250,000 to community led cultural and amenity facilities around the county. This year 18 applications were received for a diverse range of projects across the county. Nine projects received funding to deliver valuable facilities.
Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Michael Doyle, congratulated the groups who were successful in being awarded funding and encouraged those who did not receive an allocation to reapply next year and to look at alternative funding mechanisms that may be available to them through the Council’s Community Section.
In recommending the projects for funding Senior Executive Officer, Anne Marie Shortall, who has responsibility for community projects, outlined a number of potential alternative funding opportunities for projects and that the groups will be assisted by Community staff to apply under the various schemes. These include Climate Action, Local Community Development Committee community facilities, sports capital and creative Ireland grants. Every effort will be made to secure funding for those projects not included in this year’s allocation.
The type of facilities being funded range from handball alleys to youth spaces. All of the applications received represent significant community commitment to rural and cultural development and Kilkenny County Council remain committed to supporting such projects and communities in preparing plans and bringing new projects forward. Community staff will help groups to identify available funding streams through the community section’s grant booklet and provide assistance and guidance to deliver projects when funding becomes available.
Director of Services Mary Mulholland, acknowledged the hard work that goes into the preparation of every application and the development of every project. The projects funded today can now proceed to improve local facilities and to create valuable new ones. The Community and Cultural Facilities Fund is an important one for Kilkenny and while it can not fund all projects it is responsible for the delivery of many valuable community assets throughout the County.
