Following the success of the Seasonal Fund in previous years and in order to support traders in our Towns and Villages through the Christmas season, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is pleased to announce the adoption of the Seasonal Fund as an annual budget item. This means that the Seasonal fund will be available on an annual basis from now on.
The fund is available (only) to business representative organisations and is intended for use in animating the public realm and bringing some seasonal cheer to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown’s Towns and Villages for Christmas 2023. The funding should only be used for lighting and decorating commercial areas, making them attractive spaces for customers to visit and shop locally during the Christmas season. The fund cannot be used to support Seasonal Events.
Eligibility
The fund is available (only) to business representative organisations and is intended for use in animating the public realm and bringing some seasonal cheer to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown’s Towns and Villages for Christmas 2023. The funding should only be used for lighting and decorating commercial areas, making them attractive spaces for customers to visit and shop locally during the Christmas season. The fund cannot be used to support Seasonal Events.
Please note that the fund is now changing to claim based funding, in line with the standard for all grants issued by the Council. Business groups and organisations will need to spend on their seasonal lighting first, and then recoup the expense from the Council on the basis of proof of payment. We understand that this change may be initially challenging for some of our business groups and organisations, we are happy to discuss upfront payment on a case-by-case basis for 2023/2024.
Eligibility:
Area must be within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council administrative area.
Applications may be made by business organisations/representative groups only.
The funding request should be reasonable, proportionate and justifiable.
Organisations must have the capacity to manage and implement the seasonal project.
Any amount awarded will be subject to the overall availability of funds in order to ensure an equitable distribution. While every effort will be made to ensure a fair and balanced allocation of funding, the Council’s decision will be final.
The fund does not extend to Shopping Centres or to individual businesses.
Organisations will be required to submit proof of expenditure for audit purposes.
Any amount previously awarded which is not fully spent will be recouped by the Council from this funding.