Community groups are being urged to apply for this year’s Cathaoirleach Awards and Community Grants scheme. The application process is now open for the 2015 awards, with the council providing €172,000 in its budget to facilitate this very successful annual initiative.
The Cathaoirleach Awards event, which is being planned for late April, honours individuals and groups who have given special service in their community across County Westmeath. The awards recognise the role played by many individuals and groups in helping to create a strong and vibrant community.
Awards will be made in respect of the following categories: Person/ Group of the Year, Community Project of the Year, Pride of Place in the Community, Schools Environmental Project Competition, and Tidy Towns Achievement Award. Details of the various sub-categories under the Person/ Group of the Year award are available in the council’s information pack.
Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council Paddy Hill reminded councillors this week that one of the winners at last year’s awards, the Battery Heights community in Athlone, went on to achieve success at the national Pride of Place Awards.
Westmeath County Council also provides a range of grants to community groups to assist with actions and projects being undertaken in their local area. In previous years, these grants have assisted over 200 local community groups. The range of categories under the Community Grants that are available in 2015 are: Community Action Grant, Tidy Towns Grant, and Resident’s Association Grant.
Applications and nominations are now being invited for both the Cathaoirleach Awards and the Community Grants. Application and nomination forms, together with an information pack, are available to download from the council’s website at www.westmeathcoco.ie or from the Community Development section on (044 ) 9332217 or [email protected]. Completed forms must be returned by Friday March 27.
