A volunteer from Clara Tidy Towns on a clean up project recently. The organisation received €5,000 in funding.

Almost €130k funding for 113 Offaly local enhancement projects

Over 110 local projects in Offaly are to share in almost €130,000 funding under the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Local Enhancement Programme 2024

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, have today announced the successful projects in Offaly under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2024.

Some 113 projects will receive a total of €127,369.50.

See list of recipients here

The Local Enhancement Programme 2024 was launched in December 2023 with funding of €6 million available, which included €1 million in funding ring-fenced specifically to support Women’s Groups. The funding will provide capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas.

The Department of Rural and Community Development’s Local Enhancement Programme 2024 is administered by Local Community Development Committees, with support from the Local Authority, in each area.

Announcing the successful projects, Minister Humphreys said: “The Local Enhancement Programme is about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs, who are the building blocks of Irish community life.”

“I want to congratulate the successful applicants and to thank them for the vital work they do in providing services in their local communities”

“These grants will help thousands of community organisations, clubs, men’s and women’s sheds, youth centres and parish halls, to continue to provide their valuable services to the people in their areas.”

Minister Humphreys added: “Supporting local communities to shape their future is a key focus of the Government’s rural development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’. The funding I am announcing today will ensure that important work can continue to be delivered by communities on the ground and I’m delighted that every single county will benefit.”

“I would like to thank Offaly County Council and Local Community Development Committee for their assistance in administering this fund.”