Special needs projects, schools/ after school programmes, youth clubs / awareness and development groups, and crèches are just some of the 22 Westmeath 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 which 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 shortlist of three projects for each branch will be announced in this month. The three shortlisted projects will each receive a share of the €10,000 from their local AIB branch. The winning projects for each branch will be chosen by the local community through a public vote from February 15 – March 15. Further details of the voting process will be announced shortly.
