Newry, Mourne and Down District Council: Community Capital for Community Facilities

Overview

Community Capital for Community Facilities Criteria

Community Capital for Community Facilities projects must complement the programme aims and objectives as outlined below.

The indicative budget for the theme is £150,000. Please note this is subject to change. 

• Threshold: £10,000 - £75,000; 75% match funded by Council (minimum project value between £13,334 - £100,000 or above). 
• Latest project end date: All project activity MUST be completed no later than 31st March 2026. Please note: Claims must be submitted within six-weeks of the chosen project end date, or the letter of offer will automatically be withdrawn, and the funds redistributed.
• Aim of the Community Capital fund: To support capital infrastructure projects for Community facilities across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area. 
• Objectives: 
  • To provide 75% match funding 
  • To support organisations which own/manage/lease a community facility and provide community services which are defined below.

Definition of a Community facility:

A community facility is a building which is open to the public where the community can gather for a diverse range of social, cultural, educational, recreational, training and information activities. The facility will normally provide a minimum of three of these diverse activities.

A community facility will have independent accounting procedures and will produce its own annual Income and Expenditure accounts separate from any associate or parent organisation. The facility should be managed by a constituted Community Association*. The governing rules of the facility must not restrict any section of the community from using the building or restrict any type of activity, other than, for reasons of insurance.

*A Community Association is established to promote for the benefit of the inhabitants’ area and its immediate environs without distinction of age, sex, race, political or other opinions, by associating with statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, institutions, business and inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare, health, recreation and leisure activities, with the objective of improving conditions of life for the inhabitants.

NB: The panel will review applicant constitutions to ensure group meets the definition of a community association.

Eligible Expenditure

• Repairing and replacing existing structures e.g.: heating upgrade, replacement flooring, windows, kitchen, or energy efficiency upgrades.
• New builds
• Professional Fees associated with capital building works.
• Contingency costs (evidence of actual costs / eligible expenditure incurred must be provided).