Congratulations to the Community Groups based in Wicklow that have received funding under this announcement from Ministers Humphreys & O’Brien:

Annamoe Community Development
Bray Womens Refuge Housing Association CLG
Hollywood Community Development Association CLG
Imaal Hall Company Ltd by Guarantee
Lacken Community Development Association CLG
The Glencree Society

Minister Humphreys and Minister Joe O’Brien announce second tranche of community and voluntary groups to receive support with energy bills

• 238 successful applicants to benefit under €10 million Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS).
• Further tranches of funding to be announced and paid shortly
• Scheme to remain open for applications until 24th February

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State, Joe O’Brien TD, have today (Friday, 27 January) announced the second tranche of successful applicants under the €10 million Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS).

Under the initiative, some 238 organisations from across the community and voluntary sector will receive a one-off contribution towards their increased energy bills for 2022.

Payments will begin to issue to organisations immediately.

Among the successful applicants include:
• Cork – Mahon Family Resource Centre: €2,289
• Clare – Clare Youth Services: €5,953
• Dublin – EPIC Empowering People in Care, Dublin: €1,308
• Leitrim – Kinlough Community Development: €1,229
• Longford – Longford Women’s Link: €3,922

Ministers Humphreys and O’Brien also confirmed that applications will be accepted until 24th February 2023, with other groups around the country encouraged to apply.

Minister Humphreys said:

“I am delighted today to announce the second tranche of successful applicants under the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme, awarding supports of over €264,000 to 238 organisations all over the country.

“I hope this funding will go some way to alleviating the burden faced by these organisations as they go about their work delivering essential services, supports and facilities to communities all over Ireland.

“We as a Government are very conscious of the impact that rising energy costs continue to have on groups on the frontline.

“Further tranches will follow shortly. We are also keeping the application process open until February 24th to give groups in the voluntary and community sector the opportunity to get their applications in.”

Minister Joe O’Brien advised organisations to apply for support:

“All the information is on the Pobal website now and applications will remain open until 24th February. I really want to assist as many organisations as we can so I urge any eligible organisations to apply as soon as possible so that we can get that support out to you quickly.”

This initiative forms part of a range of measures introduced in Budget 2023 to meet higher energy costs for households, businesses and community organisations and it complements the Department’s supports to the community and voluntary sector, promoting sustainable, inclusive and empowered communities across Ireland.
Also the government is urging householders and businesses to ensure that they are availing of the supports that are in place – and to stay warm and well this winter. For more information visit www.gov.ie/reduceyouruse

Jim Callery, Environmental Awareness Officer WCC, is giving a Home Energy Talk in Wicklow Library on Tuesday 7th February

Wicklow LCDC successful in stage one of the LEADER Programme Application Process and will move on to Stage 2 to develop a Local Development Strategy

Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces successful applicants under Stage 1 of the LEADER programme

• Important milestone in the delivery of the new 2023-2027 LEADER programme
• 46 successful applicants will move on to Stage 2 to develop a Local Development Strategy
• €2 million fund allocation to assist with costs associated with developing these strategies

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, today (Thursday January 26th) announced the details of the 46 applicant groups who were successful under Stage 1 of the 2023-2027 LEADER programme.

As part of Stage 1 of the selection process, eligible groups were asked to submit expressions of interest to their Local Action Groups (LAG).

The successful applicants will now move on to Stage 2 which will see them develop their LEADER Local Development Strategies. These strategies will support sustainable development in rural communities.

This is a significant step in the process which will see the new LEADER programme supporting communities and businesses right across rural Ireland.

Making the announcement, Minister Humphreys said:
“For over 30 years, the LEADER programme has been hugely effective in delivering locally-led projects that have brought major benefits to communities across Rural Ireland.

“LEADER operates on a bottom-up approach, which empowers local communities to deliver projects that will contribute greatly to revitalise rural Ireland’s towns and villages.”

The Minister continued:

“Today, I’m pleased to announce the outcome of Stage 1 of the process for selecting groups to deliver the new LEADER programme and to invite these groups to develop new and innovative strategies for their areas.

“I would encourage communities across the country to get involved in the development of the LEADER strategies to help ensure that LEADER can continue to deliver projects and initiatives that are directly linked to local needs and priorities.”

Minister Humphreys has made a fund of €2 million available to the 46 successful applicant groups to assist them with the development of their Local Development Strategies. Details in this regard are now issuing to these groups.

Tomorrow in Wicklow Library