Mayo Sports Partnership has announced details of a grant scheme for clubs and organisations working with groups such as youth at risk, disadvantaged communities, unemployed people, women, members of the Travelling community, people with disabilities, or ethnic minorities.
Despite constraints on the partnership’s budget, the board has prioritized the delivery of the Special Participation Grant Scheme with up to €15,000 available.
The scheme invites clubs and organisations, which have sport or recreation as their central focus, to submit proposals which would increase participation among the target groups.
Over the last couple of years particular focus was placed on inviting communities and organisations to think about forming walking and jogging groups in their locality. This has proved to be very successful and the partnership will continue to support sports clubs and groups which are looking at providing activities, which are fun and recreational in nature.
Projects which received funding under the scheme in the past included assisting the development of a youth cycling programme in Ballina, supporting a new athletics club in Ballinrobe, a spikeball programme in Barncarroll Sports Centre, Special Olympic swimming programmes, adventure sports opportunities, mass participation programmes in running and walking, development of underage basketball in the county, and the setting-up of a new camogie club in north Mayo.
“Mayo Sports Partnership has supported over 250 various sports and physical activity initiatives since 2005, allocating approximately €200,000. The board recognises the need to support sports volunteers in the fantastic work they are doing in the community,” said Mayo Sports Partnership sports coordinator Charlie Lambert.
Organisations and groups are asked to note that any capital or building projects are not eligible for funding under the scheme’s criteria.
Closing date for applications is 4pm on Wednesday May 7.
The maximum allocation to any one project can be €1,000 and this is dependent on the quality of the initiative. The Mayo Sports Partnership board will decide on all successful applications and its recommendations are final.
For further information on the scheme contact the sports partnership office at (094 ) 9047025 or visit www.mayosports.ie/news to download a copy of the application form.
