Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced the details of €1.4 million in funding to support TidyTowns groups to prepare for the 2023 SuperValu TidyTowns competition.
As part of the initiative, grants of between €1,000 and €4,000 will be provided to almost 900 TidyTowns groups right across the country and there will be an emphasis on projects that promote green spaces, parks and biodiversity.
You will see from the chart that Brosna and Castleisland were granted €2,000 each while Currow, Farranfore and Knocknagoshel will get €1,000 apiece.
In Existence Since 1958
Groups which entered the SuperValu TidyTowns competition in 2021 or 2022 will be eligible.
Minister Humphreys today published the details of how Tidy Towns committees can avail of the funding and encouraged all eligible groups to apply.
The SuperValu TidyTowns competition has been in existence since 1958. It continues to grow and attract new entrants each year.
A total of 882 towns and villages entered the competition this year. At the national awards ceremony in October, Minister Humphreys declared Trim in County Meath as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2022.
Work and Community Dedication
Speaking about the funding to support groups entering the 2023 SuperValu TidyTowns competition, Minister Humphreys said that she has written to all Tidy Towns Groups across the country and thanked them for their work and dedication to their community.
“The efforts of the thousands of volunteers make our towns more vibrant and better places to live, work and raise a family,” she said.
“I want to support our Tidy Towns Groups in preparing for next year’s competition and today I am delighted to announce the detail of the €1.4 million in funding which I confirmed at the event in the RDS in October.
Stronger it’s Getting
“The funding of between €1,000 and €4,000 is being provided to groups to assist them in preparing for the 2023 Competition, the 65th anniversary of the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, but no sign of retirement on it – it’s stronger it’s getting.
“Today I am encouraging groups availing of the funding to look at projects for their green spaces and parks, and projects that are sensitive to our biodiversity and promote sustainable living. I am confident that this funding can help further support such initiatives.
Pre-Christmas Contact
All eligible groups will be contacted before Christmas to confirm their funding. Applications for funding must be returned to Pobal no later than February 28th 2023.
Late applications will not be accepted. All projects and initiatives funded through this support must be completed by July 31st, 2023.
Looking to 2023
Looking ahead to next year, the Minister said that she wants to take this opportunity to thank the thousands and thousands of TidyTowns volunteers that have given of their time and skills so generously over the years.
“I am confident that the funding provided by my Department in recent years, in addition to the funding I am referring to today, has made and will continue to make, a real difference in the towns and villages of Ireland,” Minister Humphreys concluded.
With thanks to Cllr. Fionnán Fitzgerald for the information.
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