This article is from page 104 of the 2008-07-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 104 JPG
LOCAL community and voluntary groups in Shannon are being urged to submit applications for funding un- der the community grants scheme.
Around €5,300 is being made available under the local authority initiative this year. Under the scheme, up to 20 groups receive sums rang- ing between €200 and €500, every year.
The scheme got underway in 1997 and since then several groups have benefited. Last year, 15 groups re- ceived atotal of €5,100, while €5,200 was split between 15 groups the pre- vious year. Some 19 groups received a total of €5,000 in 2005, while 16 organisations received €5,000 ben- efited in 2004. In 2003, 20 groups received a total of €4,600.
Shannon Town Clerk Tomas Mac-
Cormaic is now inviting interested groups to formally apply for the auterenbetse
A number of guidelines have been compiled to ensure the applications follow a particular standard. One of these is that the projects are designed to improve the quality of life for the people of Shannon.
‘ For the project to be grant aided it must show aclear community focus,” said Mr MacCormaic.
“The project must be directly re- lated to one or other of the follow- ing categories: the undertaking of special community projects, artistic proposals, projects which generate civic pride and involve local people in the improvement of the town,” he added.
The applications are open to or- ganisations, voluntary groups and residents associations within the
functional area of Shannon Town Council.
Before the grant assistance is awarded all applications must sub- mit, where applicable, documenta- tions detailing fully the project con- tent, together with details of costs eee
“Applicants must show that the project is well planned and give indi- cations of potential future uses of the project. The town councillors’ deci- sion will be influenced by the amount of applicant’s own resources contrib- uted to the project,’ he added.
The 15 groups to benefit last year were Clare Haven, Shannon Com- munity Radio, Gleann an Oir resi- dents group, Newtown FC, the Fami- ly Resource Centre, SEED, the music project, youth exchange project and summer camp project, the Shannon Graveyard Maintenance Commit-
tee, Shannon Musical Society, Wolfe Tones camogie club, Duchas na Sionna, Shannon Handball Club and Shannon Olympics.
Last year, special awards — Liosta na Laochra — were presented to three groups which have contributed im- mensely to local community life over a long number of years. These were Shannon Community Games, Shan- non Musical Society and the local chess club.
Over the years, several other groups benefited under the community grants scheme, including the Broth- ers of Charity, Shannon Meteors Trampoline Club, St Senan’s RFC, Icarus Drama Group, Le Chéile, Shannon Swim and Leisure Club.
The application forms are available from Mr MacCormaic. The closing date for receipt of completed appli- cations is August 31.