COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

MOTION NO. 13

MOTION: Councillor M. Ward

Cathaoirleach's Business

"This Committee requests that the Community Strategic Policy Committee undertakes a review of the Community Initiative with a particular focus on the reviewing the current criteria to see if they are fit for purpose; to examine the application of the criteria to ensure that application process makes clear to groups what the criteria are in advance of applications; and to examine the possibility of providing direct engagement between Council officials and applicants prior to submission of application to ensure clarity of both the criteria and the detail of the project."

REPORT:

The Community Initiative Fund (CIF) was developed as a new concept and as an additional funding programme (running alongside the Councils pre-existing Community Grants Programme) in 2015 and came from an initiative developed by the Community and Social Strategic Policy Committee.

Now after its third year in existence and responding to the trends in type of funding applications received within CIF, a review of the Initiative has already commenced and this will be presented to the SPC for discussion.

The Community Initiative Fund in its current format provides clear criteria and guideline to assist community groups to make applications, however due to the fund being oversubscribed for the last 3 years, with level of funding requested hugely super passing the total level of funds available, while some applications may meet the grants criteria, application numbers dictate that applications have to be assessed and prioritised through the shortlisting and final assessment process.

The Community Development Team are always available to advise and assist community groups in making grant applications both within the CIF and the Community Grants Programmes. A series of Grant Workshops are also held in community venues right across the County in advance and during the period when the CIF and Community Grants Programme are open for applications.