Westmeath County Council 2020 Community Grants & Awards

2020 Westmeath County Council 2020 Community Grants & Awards Application Forms & Details Booklet Westmeath County Council Community Grants 2020 Introduction For the past number of years Westmeath County Council has distributed over €450,000 per annum to Community & Voluntary groups in the form of Awards and Grants. This is because the Council recognises the work that the Community & Voluntary sector carry out on a day to day basis and believes that this group is one of the most important sectors in the county as they contribute to the quality of life of all citizens. Westmeath County Council provides a range of Grants to community groups to assist with day to day operations, activities, projects and events undertaken in their local area. These grants are intended to sustain community activity and promote active citizenship. The Closing date for Community Grant Applications is Friday 3rd April 2020. Please see terms and conditions of Other Grants for closing dates A.1 Westmeath Person/Group of the Year Awards Please note that all applicant groups must be a member of Westmeath Public Participation Network (WPPN) and have a tax number (from Revenue) for grants to be issued to them. Forms can be obtained from the Community Section using the contact details below. Community Grants i. Tidy Towns Grant CLOSING DATE FOR THESE GRANTS IS ii. Residents Association Grant FRIDAY 3RD APRIL 2020. iii. Community Action Grants NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Other Grants available throughout the year include iv. Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) v. Festival & Events Grant FOR THESE GRANTS, THE INDIVIDUAL vi. Men’s Shed Fund APPLICATION FORMS WILL INCLUDE GRANT vii. Town & Village Christmas Lights CRITERIA, PROCESS AND CLOSING DATES. viii. & Other grants Application forms for Community Grants and Awards are available on our website www.westmeathcoco.ie, at our Customer services desks in Mullingar or Athlone, by email to [email protected] or call the Community Section on 04493 32051. Groups registered with Westmeath PPN will receive application forms by email or post. COMMUNITY ACTION GRANTS 1 WESTMEATH CO. COUNCIL Community Grants 2020 What is the Westmeath County Council Community Grant? Westmeath County Council recognises the work carried out by Community and Voluntary Groups in the county and their input in developing and implementing various programmes and projects that enhance the general wellbeing and quality of life of their communities and the people of the county. In 2020, as in many previous years, the Council has set aside a fund to provide grants to these groups. What is the purpose of Westmeath County Council Community Grant? The purpose of these grants is to encourage and support local community and voluntary groups to continue to develop and implement community initiatives that have a positive impact on their area and on the County. What types of Community grants are provided? The 2020 Community Grants provided by Westmeath County Council includes: • Tidy Towns Grants • Residents Association Grants • Community Action Grants • In addition to the Community Grants above a range of other Grants are available to community groups such as Community Enhancement Programme, Festival & Events Grants etc. How does the group apply? Complete the relevant Grant Application form included in this booklet and return by email to [email protected] Or by post to: Westmeath County Council Community Grants, Community Development Section, Aras an Chontae, Mullingar, Co Westmeath N91 FH4N You may also submit accompanying additional documentation with your completed application form as appropriate. What is the Grant funding process? Applications received by Westmeath County Council will be assessed based on information submitted in the application form against the grant evaluation criteria. The objective of the evaluation criteria is to achieve maximum benefit to the community with the funding available. The final decision on Community Grants will be made by the relevant Evaluation Committee. The applicant will be advised of the outcome of the application in May/June 2020 and if successful, the grant payment will issue by way of Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) after this date. Who is eligible to apply? The community grants are intended to support community and voluntary groups in the county. All funded projects /initiatives /events must be based in the county and groups must • be affiliated to Westmeath Public Participation Network (WPPN) • be active, have regular meetings & have nominated at least a Chair & Secretary • have a current bank/credit union account • have a tax/charity number • display recognition of Westmeath County Council support Commercial organisations, individuals and for-profit organisations are not eligible for community grants. COMMUNITY ACTION GRANTS 2 WESTMEATH CO. COUNCIL When should a group apply? The Community Grants are advertised by Westmeath PPN notification (either email or post), local newspaper adverts, Westmeath Co. Council social media channels and website notices. Only applications received by close of business on Friday 3rd April 2020 will be eligible for assessment. All other grants have individual closing dates. Details of other grants are available by the above methods of notification. NOTE Tidy Towns Grant; Residents Association Grant or Community Action Grant can be used for day to day expenditure of the group over the year e.g.: insurance, electricity, servicing of machinery, landscaping etc. How do I apply? You should apply directly to Westmeath Co. Council Community Development Section by email, post or hand delivered. Full details are on the individual applications. Only completed applications forms received by the closing date will be considered. How should grants be spent? While the Council will issue a grant payment based on the application received, it is a requirement that the Community Group spend this grant in accordance with their application prior to the end of the year. Failure to adhere to this requirement may result in repayment of the grant to the Council and may also impact on consideration of future grant applications by the Group. What type of expenditure is not eligible for grants? Expenditure on alcoholic beverages, fines, penalty payments, salaries, or legal costs will not be funded. Publicity/Acknowledgement of Westmeath Co. Council It is a requirement of all grant funding that Westmeath County Council is acknowledged as a source of funding in any publications, leaflets, signage, websites or events – or minuted in treasurers report, committee meeting or AGM. The official Westmeath Co. Council logo in an approved format is available by contacting the Community Development Office. Westmeath County Council Disclaimer The Council will not be liable to the applicant or any other party in respect of any loss, damage or costs of any nature arising directly or indirectly from projects/activities undertaken in respect of grant awarded or rejected. Compliance with insurance, health and safety, and other requirements are a matter for the applicant. Does Freedom of Information apply? Applicants should be aware that the Freedom of Information Act applies in respect of records held by Westmeath County Council. NOTE – Closing Date for Community Grant Applications is Friday 3rd April 2020 by 5pm Late Applications Will Not Be Accepted COMMUNITY ACTION GRANTS 3 WESTMEATH CO. COUNCIL i. Tidy Towns Grant The purpose of this grant is to assist Tidy Towns groups in their efforts to improve their town or village and facilitate its participation in the National Tidy Towns competition. Towns and villages are divided into categories at a national level depending on their size which will assist the criteria for grant allocations. NOTE The Tidy Towns Grant can be used for day to day running of the group over the year e.g.: insurance, electricity, servicing of machinery etc Conditions & Guidelines of the grant: • *Tidy Towns committees must enter the National Tidy Towns Competition. • Tidy Towns committee must have a current bank or Credit union account in the name of the group. • Groups must be affiliated to Westmeath Public Participation Network (WPPN). • Salary costs are not eligible for funding. • Recipients may be asked for evidence as to the usage of the grant. • A Tax Number or Charity Number is required for all grants. • Only areas located in Westmeath can be funded • If successful, it is a requirement of all grant funding that Westmeath County Council is acknowledged as a source of funding in any publications, leaflets, signage, online etc, or minuted in treasurers report, committee meeting or AGM. (The official Westmeath Co. Council logo in an approved format is available by contacting the Community Development Office). • All projects must display recognition of Westmeath County Council’s support. • Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. Closing date for applications is Friday 3rd April 2020 Please Note - Late Applications Will Not Be Accepted COMMUNITY ACTION GRANTS 4 WESTMEATH CO. COUNCIL TIDY TOWNS GRANT APPLICATION FORM Please complete ALL sections of the application form. Please write clearly if handwritten. DETAILS OF GROUP Name of group Contact person for this application Contact Email address Telephone Number Contact Postal Eircode Address Municipal District for group – please tick Mullingar-Kinnegad MD Athlone-Moate MD Tax or Charitable No. Westmeath PPN No. The applying group must have a tax/charitable number and be registered with

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