Special needs projects, schools/after school programmes, youth clubs/awareness and development groups and crèches are just some of the 15 Kilkenny projects that have applied for funding from the AIB Better Ireland Programme 2009/2010.
Countrywide the programme received huge interest, with almost 1,300 children's projects applying online before applications closed on Friday, November 27 2009. This year the programme was open to all vulnerable children projects including those who support children with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities, children who are socially disadvantaged and groups that support children suffering from terminal and chronic illnesses. Applications are currently being assessed by the local branches and a short list of three projects for each branch will be announced this month. The three short listed projects will each receive a share of the €10,000 from their local AIB Branch. (First place - €5,000, second place - €3,000 and third place €2,000 ). The winning projects for each branch will be chosen by the local community through a public vote from February 15 to March 15 2010. Further details of the voting process will be announced shortly. John Cuddihy, AIB Regional Director, Kilkenny said: "We are absolutely delighted with the success of the call for applications for the AIB Better Ireland Programme 2009/2010. Community participation is a fundamental feature of the programme and we are all really looking forward to the voting stage and hope that the people in Kilkenny will get involved in voting for their favourite project. Local nomination, local voting and local benefit are what the AIB Better Ireland Programme is all about.”
