The County Kildare of Decade of Commemorations Committee is inviting applications for a grants scheme for projects and activities that relate to the Decade of Commemorations period, 1912-23. As this is the final year of the national Decade of Centenaries Programme, we would particularly welcome applications that reflect on this historic decade and look forward to the early years of the the new Irish state.
These grants are open to individuals and organisations and are supported by the County Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries Initiative 2012-23.
The minimum award under this scheme is €400, with the maximum award being €2500. The deadline for receipt of applications is 5PM on Friday 10th March 2023.
Email localhistory@kildarecoco.ie
2023 Decade of Commemorations Grants Scheme
The focus of this scheme, though not restricted to, is community engagement with marking the History and Heritage of County Kildare in 1922 and 1923. Projects can relate to topics such as:
• Local History
• Specific site locations
• People of interest
• Song and Story
• Society, Sport and Cultural experiences
Projects can be delivered in various formats including Publications, Talks & Seminars, Educational initiatives, Exhibitions, Music, Writing and Digital Content. This year there is also a small amount of funding available to support essential works to clean, repair or restore a memorial relevant to the 1912-23 period (subject to approval from Kildare County Council).
A separate Decade of Commemorations Artistic & Bursary Award opportunity was recently advertised, aimed at art groups, artists and creative practitioners also. This award(s) has a maximum award of €7500. See
https://submit.link/1xqGrants Available
There are five municipal districts in County Kildare. Geographical representation and distribution of funds will play a part in selection.The Municipal Districts of Kildare County Council are:
• Athy Municipal District
• Clane-Maynooth Municipal District
• Kildare-Newbridge Muncipal District
• Leixlip-Celbridge Muncipal District
• Naas Municipal District
The minimum amount of an award is €400, while the maximum award amount under this scheme is €2500. It is envisaged that the majority of the awards will amount to between €500 and €1500.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
Please note that there are limits to the amount of funding available and not all applications may be successful. Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis. To be eligible for funding the proposal must demonstrate that it meets the following minimum requirements:
• Makes a positive contribution to the County Kildare Decade of Commemorations programme
• Proposal to take place within or relate to the functional area of Kildare County Council or promotes the role of County Kildare to audiences further afield.
• Meets with the key principles of the ‘Decade of Centenaries Second Phase Guidance 2018–2023’. See History Ireland (decadeofcentenaries.com)
• That outputs (e.g. publication, research, video, audio material) would be deposited in the Local Studies, Genealogy & Archives Department of Kildare Library Service with the agreement of the Local Studies Librarian
• It meets at least one of the following eight strands: (further details on each of the strands in Appendix A below)
i. Community-led commemoration and reflection
ii. Respectful, sensitive and non-partisan remembrance of all of those who suffered and died during the period from 1921-1923
iii. The Partitioning of Ireland
iv. Ireland and the Wider World
v. Experiences of women
vi. Establishing a New Order
vii. A Changing Society during this period
viii. Creative Thinking and the Arts
• Projects should be community focused and maximise community and citizen engagement
• Themes and subject matters should be inclusive and the approach can be diverse
• Designed on a realistic financial basis and provides good value for money
• If successful, each applicant must have in place adequate Insurance cover for the project, as appropriate;
• Compliant with all relevant permissions and policies, including the Kildare County Council Civic Memorial Policy
• The proposed project will be completed and the request for drawdown of grant submitted by Tuesday 31st October 2023, unless otherwise agreed.
The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 5PM on Friday 10th March 2023.
Ineligible Activities:
The following activities are not eligible for funding from this allocation:
- Hiring or purchase of replica weapons or uniforms and military re-enactments;
- Production of commemorative medals or pins;
- General administration outside of the scope of the Decade of Centenaries Programme and other activities unrelated to the thematic strands of the programme; and
- Applications that are not relevant to the 1912-23 period in any way.
Particulars of Funding:
It is the purpose of this scheme that each community will have the opportunity to tell their story and look at elements of their community’s involvement in the War of Independence and/or Civil War that deserves special mention. Projects that connect with each of the eight Strands mentioned in this document will be encouraged.
How will the Decision on funding be made?
Decisions will be taken on a number of grounds, including the following selection criteria:
• The extent to which the proposed event/project correlates with a key occurrence/figure regarding County Kildare and 1912-23 period
• The extent to which the proposal meets with the principles of the ‘Decade of Centenaries Second Phase Guidance 2018–2023’ LIVE LINK and any one (or many) of the eight strands particular to this funding scheme .
• The extent to which the proposed event/project maximises community/citizen engagement as well as inclusivity and diversity in approach
• The cost of the proposed event/project and its feasibility, where any additional supports and funding requirements are identified and confirmed
• The long-term legacy and value of this event/project/publication
Please note there is no guarantee of funding for projects/events that nonetheless may have achieved the minimum criteria. The fund is limited and eligible applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis, including amongst other factors, the selection criteria outlined above.
Terms of Funding:
Outcome on evaluation of applications
Successful applicants will receive a letter of offer by email or letter. This letter will form the contract between Kildare County Council and the organiser and will detail all conditions and requirements.
Promotion
Successful applicants must acknowledge the association of their project with the County Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Media, Sport and Gaeltacht in all promotional activities and communications. The Kildare County Council, and Dept of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media logos must be used in a prominent place on all materials produced in relation to the project. Where social media platforms are engaged County Kildare Decade of Commemorations Committee should be tagged and referenced as the event sponsor. The letter of offer will set out the precise logos to be utilised on all publicity, press and marketing material produced in connection with the project
Further Information
Please email localhistory@kildarecoco.ie if you require any assistance or further information in relation to the Decade of Commemorations Grants Scheme.