Application Process for 2016 Funding Opens
For Community Tourism Initiative for the Diaspora
South Dublin County Council announced today the 16th of February that applications for funding are now being sought under the Community Tourism Initiative for the Diaspora. The initiative, launched in 2014, builds on the community involvement legacy of The Gathering 2013 and is a joint partnership between South Dublin County Council, IPB Insurance and Fáilte Ireland.
Now in its third year, the scheme provides a national fund of €1m to support local community-based events and festivals each year. Last year, a total of €9,000 was granted to support local events in South Dublin, attracting up to 380 visitors from overseas. The festivals funded last year included:
Dublin Masters Basketball Association
Dublin Summer Bridge Congress
AMA Ireland International Karate Championships 2015
Administered locally by South Dublin County Council, the application process for 2016 is now open and will close on the 11th of March 2016. Interested parties are advised to visit http://www.sdcc.ie/news/community-tourism-diaspora-initiative or e-mail econdev@sdublincoco.ie to apply.
Announcing this year’s funding, Daniel McLoughlin Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council emphasised:
“The Gathering in 2013 provided a boost to the tourism sector both nationally and locally and this scheme gives South Dublin County an opportunity to build on that legacy. This Community Tourism Initiative allows us to sustain an infrastructure of events and relationships which I am sure will have long term tourism and social benefits for South Dublin County for many years to come.
“I welcome the continuation of this initiative and I would urge anyone out there with a good idea or interesting event, which would help us to reach out to the diaspora, to get in touch with us and make an application”
Local authorities throughout the country are now accepting applications in order to determine those local events with the best potential to have the impact and long-term potential to make a difference. The initiative is being administered at local level with the grant applications and awards being decided in accordance with agreed national criteria.