Extension of €1M to Community Services Programme

Joe O Brien TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities has announced additional funding of €3.2m for the Community Services Programme (CSP) 2021 Support Fund, in line with the extension of other Government wage support schemes up to end of June 2021. This brings the total amount allocated under the CSP Support Fund in 2020 and 2021, to €7.95 million.

The scheme is administered by Pobal and funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. It supports approximately 400 community companies and co-operatives at any given time

According to Pobal the objectives of the programme are to:

• Promote social enterprise as an approach to alleviating disadvantage and addressing local social, economic and environmental needs which are not being met through public or private funding or other resources.
• Create sustainable jobs for those most distant from the labour market, in particular for those who are long term unemployed and from specific target groups.
• Promote sustainable social and economic development.
• Enable service providers to lever additional public investment to improve facilities and services
• Strengthen local ownership through participation in decision making.
• Support social innovation and encourage sharing of learning and expertise between participating service providers.

Find additional information concering the CSP here: CSP Operating Manual

CSP funded service providers can access all other guidance material on the CSP portal by using your login details.