The EU JTF Community and Enterprise Grants Scheme is now open for applications!
The aim of this scheme to provide communities in the wider Midlands area, formerly dependent on peat production, with the capacity to develop employment opportunities in the green, circular and low-carbon economy.
It is the second call under the EU JTF providing direct support to the implementation of Local and Regional Economic Strategies – which include relevant Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) and Regional Enterprise Plans (REPs).
This scheme will provide funding to community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations, and micro, small and medium sized enterprises operating in the wider Midland area. The grant aims to support projects that will contribute to a green transition and a sustainable local economy, including through creating sustainable employment and building relevant capacities within local communities. All successful projects must demonstrate how they contribute to the implementation of the relevant Local and Regional Economic Strategies.
The scope of projects that will be supported by call include:
- Innovation in energy and resource efficiency
- Circular Economy
- Training and upskilling
- Retrofit readiness
- Digitalisation and Connectivity
- Bioeconomy
- Nature restoration and regeneration
- Renewable energy and energy efficiency
Geographical area covered:
EU Just Transition Fund territory. This includes the entire counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, and municipal districts of Ballinasloe (Co. Galway), Athy and Clane-Maynooth (Co. Kildare), and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co. Tipperary). All projects must be delivered in or provide benefit to the eligible territory.
Policy objective:
This scheme falls under the EU JTF programme Priority 1: Generating Employment for former peat communities by investing in the diversification of the local economy. The specific operation concerned is Action 1.2: Support the implementation of local and regional economic strategies.
Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and European Union, the EU Just Transition Fund has a single specific objective, which is to enable regions and people to address the social employment, economic and environmental impacts of the transition towards the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050, based on the Paris Agreement.
Eligible applicants:
- Community and Voluntary Organisations (CVOs) or Not for Profit Organisations (NGOs)
- Social Enterprises
- Micro, Small to Medium Sized Organisations (MSME)
The full terms and conditions are available in the Applicant Guidelines on Pobal’s website www.pobal.ie/programmes/eujtf-communityenterprise/.
Total amount of support:
Up to €5 million is available under this scheme. Individual projects can apply for support of a minimum of €50,000 to a maximum of €300,000.
Call start and end dates:
The call launched on 12 January 2024.
Deadline for applications: 22 February 2024 extended to 5:00pm Wednesday, 28 February 2024.
Successful projects will be delivered from May 2024 to 31 March 2026
Application Process:
All potential applicant organisations must register as Primary Authorised User (PAU) on the MyPobal Portal in order to download and submit the official Application Form and other supporting documents. Please ensure that your organisation has the PAU registration completed by 2 February at the latest, since it takes 1-2 working days for PAU approval.
Full details are available in the Application Guidelines on Pobal’s website: www.pobal.ie/programmes/eujtf-communityenterprise/
Further information and support:
3 online application support events will be held to assists applicants in making their applications.
1. Online Launch Webinar: Monday, 22 January. Register here.
2. Online Information Clinic: Friday, 9 February 10:30-1:00pm. Register here.
3. Online Information Clinic: Monday, 19 February 10:30-11:30am. Register here.
For list of events and to register to attend, check out the Application Process and Events tab on the Pobal website.
Watch a presentation outlining this scheme given at the general EUJTF information session on 24 January 2024.
If you have any questions about the call, email onlinesupport@pobal.ie or call Pobal support at 01 511 7222.
Full information is available on Pobal’s website.
