RDC Maximising community space
Overview
'Maximising Community Space Crossing Borders' is a programme of support designed to foster good relationships within and between communities and facilitate the development and wider usage of existing community halls/centres. The programme is managed by the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council (RDC) and funded by the International Fund for Ireland (the Fund).
The programme, is open to urban and rural groups operating within Northern Ireland and the six border counties of Southern Ireland.
The programme has two strands:-
- Strand One - involves a focused programme of training mentoring and support with 26 places available.
- Strand Two - provides project grant aid and implementation support for minor works to support the increased and wider usage of existing facilities.
Please note: the opportunity to apply for project grant assistance (Strand Two) will only be open to those organisations completing Strand One. A separate application process will operate for this.
The 'Maximising Community Space Crossing Borders' programme aims to:
- increase the capacity and confidence of groups managing community halls / centres
- support the wider usage of existing space
- foster and develop relationships within and between communities.
Strand One:
Within the development support element we will work with groups to determine their individual training needs, their staff will support and mentor groups. Strand One will include a compulsory 'promoting good relations' module specific to group capacity and stage of development and will also offer support in the following areas:
- The group in the community
- Working as a group
- Managing community premises
- Financial sustainability
The support will be delivered on both an individual, group and clustered basis in a range of ways including mentoring, training, networking and best practice visits. There will be at least a twelve month commitment to Strand One and a minimum of six group members will be required to attend the training. As part of the training, at least one group member must participate in Level 1 'Maximising Community Space', accredited by the Open College Network.
They will also arrange visits to groups to exchange experiences and to learn from other projects. Other optional modules such as disability awareness, child protection and health and safety may be available.
Participation on the development support programme (Strand One) is essential and only those completing this programme will be eligible to apply for project grant assistance (Strand Two).
Strand Two:
Grants of up to £50,000 / €60,000 or up to 95% of the total cost of the project, whichever is lesser, may be available subject to satisfactory completion of the development support programme and a detailed assessment of a completed project grant application. At least 5% of the match funding must be raised locally. The total project cost should not exceed £100,000 / €120,000.
Projects might include:-
- Small scale extensions or renovation works to accommodate multiple activities
- Alterations to the mechanical & electrical services to allow for efficient use of the premises
- General works to meet health and safety standards.
The maximum grant amount will be the exception rather than the norm and the percentage of project costs offered to successful applicants may vary. Please note this is a competitive process with a limited budget. Potential applicants should be aware that not all applicants will be allocated a place on the programme.
Applications are invited from community based organisations located in urban and rural areas of Northern Ireland and the six Southern border counties of Monaghan, Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth and Sligo. The programme is designed to assist disadvantaged communities where the current state of hall facilities prohibits community and/or cross community activity.
Organisations that have been successful under the previous Maximising Community Space Programme are not eligible for support within this new programme. Halls owned or managed by the Public sector are not eligible for support.
Halls owned or managed by community/voluntary organisations that are or could be used for multiple community based activities are eligible for support. The applicant is required to be formally constituted (or willing to become constituted) and responsible for the management of a community hall.
Applications will be assessed on:
- Need - the programme wants to reach those groups and communities most in need
- Proposed usage - the programme wants to support the increased usage of halls for wider community benefit
- Hall facilities - the programme wants to make a difference. New or recently renovated halls are not eligible. For the purposes of this programme you should take 'new or renovated' to mean an extensive programme of capital works within the past 10 years.
Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate that the halls: -
- have had limited previous investment
- are currently under utilised or restricted in usage but can demonstrate and provide evidence of potential for improved community usage
- are located in marginalised areas
- are located in areas where there are significant deficiencies in access to services