The Department has lead responsibility for developing the relationship between the State and the Community and Voluntary Sector. This includes implementation of the White Paper on a Framework for Supporting Voluntary Activity and for Developing the Relationship between the State and the Community and Voluntary Sector. The White Paper was published in September 2000 and may be downloaded from this website or is available from the Community & Voluntary Supports Division, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Teeling Street, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo.
The White Paper commits the Government to provide a range of funding measures to support the Community and Voluntary Sector. For the period (2003-07), funding is being provided to Federations, Networks and Umbrella Bodies, to National Anti-Poverty Networks and for a scheme of funding for training and support in the Community and Voluntary sector. A new funding scheme to support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector will commence from the cessation of the current schemes (December 2007).
A list of successful National Organisations is available on the following link http://www.pobail.ie/en/PressReleases/2007/december/file,8771,en.doc
The Community and Voluntary Supports Division of the Department also administers the following Programmes and Schemes:
Given the strong level of demand, new applications for Refurbishment, Equipment and Training grants are no longer being accepted for this Programme. Funds will continue to be disbursed to community and voluntary organisations that have had projects approved prior to the suspension of the Programme.
This programme provided financial support for the refurbishment of community centres and facilitities as will as grant to meet the costs of purchasing equipment to upgrade the services provided to the community.
In addition to the above grant support, financial support was also made available to enhance the capacity and activities of both people and organisations working in the community and voluntary sector at a local level and nationally to provide better quality services to the people they support.
These Programmes are part funded from funds made available by the National Lottery.
Supports for Volunteering - This Programme supports a number of volunteer centres, which promote and develop volunteering throughout Ireland. In addition to those listed by Volunteer Centres Ireland (www.volunteer.ie) others are in the process of being set up. Support is also provided to a number of other community and voluntary organisations, which assist in the development of the sector.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - while the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment enjoys lead responsibility for co-ordinating policy in relation to CSR, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs contributes to the development of CSR in a community and local development context through a range of supports and structures such as partnerships, community development projects and Leader groups. This is an integral element of this Department's strategic objective of assisting communities, especially those suffering disadvantage and social exclusion. The Department is providing funding of €50,000 to Chambers of Commerce Ireland in 2007 to support its Corporate Social Responsibility Awards.
Philanthropy - the Department provides, on a pilot basis, matching core-funding for Philanthropy Ireland for each of the 3 years 2006-2008. This enables Philanthropy Ireland to implement its 3-year plan, in recognition of the public good to be achieved through successful development of the philanthropic sector.
Community and Voluntary organisations are eligible to apply for funding under two Programmes of Grants for Community and Voluntary Organisations.