The Local Authority Integration Team (LAIT) is available to provide on-going integration supports to people categorised in any of the following groups living in Galway city
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- International Protection (IP) applicants,
- Programme Refugees
- Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP)
- Those with Refugee, Subsidiary Protection, or Permission to Remain status.
The team consists of an Integration Support Coordinator, two Integration Support Workers and an Assistant Staff Officer. We aim to link people in any of these groups with local service providers appropriate to the needs of the person. We will act as the direct point of contact to provide information, guidance and advice to queries, as they arise.
The Integration team will provide signposting to services one needs to access employment and training, to develop English language proficiency,
access childcare and healthcare services and to connect to sporting, voluntary or any other community activities.
If you wish to contact us please email integrationsupport@galwaycity.ie
Community Recognition Fund 2024
Galway City Council, in conjunction with Galway City Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), gives notice of the launch of the next round of grant funding through the Community Recognition Fund 2024.
The Community Recognition Fund is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by local communities in welcoming and supporting new arrivals from Ukraine and other countries coming to Ireland.
A total fund of €1,702,897 has been allocated to Galway City LCDC for 2024. Funding is targeted at and specifically invested in areas around the city where the highest level of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified.
Projects to be funded must be capital in nature, deliver medium-long term benefits for the communities in which they are located, and be capable of being delivered over the course of 2025 and 2026. A minimum spend of 50% of the total allocation must be incurred in 2025. Eligible projects will receive funding for capital costs, but not for any ongoing operational or running costs.
Proposals should also be consistent with the Galway City Local Economic and Community Plan 2024 – 2029.
The minimum level of funding for an individual project is €50,000 with a maximum of €500,000 applying.
The Community Recognition Fund will support groups in areas of:
- development, enhancement or refurbishment of community or cultural facilities including play areas, walkways, parks, community/sensory gardens, allotments, and recreational areas;
- development, enhancement or refurbishment of local club and sports facilities including facilities such as community swimming pools, changing rooms, toilets, digital aids such as score / information boards etc.;
- enhancement to school/parish facilities which are open to use by all of the community after school hours;
- purchase of equipment for local clubs, festivals, community events and organisations e.g. music, arts or sports equipment;
- transport infrastructure such as the purchase of community vehicles, bus shelters and attendant information boards; (any vehicle funded must be in good condition and not more than 5 years old)
- projects that help address dereliction and/or wider local economic and community development objectives;
- purchase and refurbishment of vacant or derelict buildings for community use where a clear need is identified.
Galway City Council have been awarded €1,702,897 under this funding.
Application Process
Interested groups should consider the requirements of the project, possible costs involved and plan their application carefully. The funding will be a competitive process and where numerous applications come from areas that are identified as high need, groups should endeavour to answer all parts of the application form fully. Projects should be specific, timebound, show clear costings and planning throughout, and be achievable within the timeframes involved. Any planning or statutory consent issues should be clearly identified.
Important things to note in submitting your application:
- Only areas that are hosting high levels of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicants are eligible for this funding
- All applications should include as much information as possible including details of any organisation or community group which you represent.
- Applications greater that €200,000 must also complete Appendix 1 funding application
- All submissions are subject to the Data Protection Act (as amended) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (as amended) and the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (as amended).
- Submissions will be accepted until Friday May 3rd at 4pm.
If you have any queries about this funding, please contact candc@galwaycity.ie
All applications are to be made online to: https://files.galwaycity.ie/crf
Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 3rd May 2024 at 4pm
All projects must be completed by November 2026
List of questions to aid completion of your application
CRF Community Recognition Fund 2024 Scheme Outline