COVID-19 Grant Scheme – T&Cs

BACKGROUND
Limerick Sports Partnership in conjunction with Sport Ireland is promoting this grants scheme to support clubs and community groups. The COVID-19 club small grant scheme is part of a programme from the Government of Ireland, implemented through Sport Ireland and its network of Local Sports Partnerships to support the sports sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding cannot be used to support COVID-19 costs related to hospitality services such as bars or restaurants within sports facilities. The COVID 19 Club Small Grants can be used to support COVID 19 related expenditure dating from 2nd May 2020 onwards (Date of publication of Government roadmap to recovery).

Closing date for the grants scheme is September 4th, 2020.

OVERALL AIM
This scheme is designed to support clubs, which do not have the finances to implement COVID-19 related hygiene and social distancing protocols. As the total fund available is limited, clubs/community groups which already have the finances to implement COVID-19 protocols should not apply. Clubs must ensure that, where available, they prioritise the application for funding support via their National Governing Body or relevant representative body. Funding support for the same purpose should not be sought from multiple sources.

WHO CAN APPLY
Grants are available to all local sports clubs and community groups that promote increased participation in their sport or physical activity. Commercial, statutory or umbrella bodies are not eligible to apply for this grant.

KEY CRITERIA
Applications are encouraged from clubs/community groups that:

• have the potential to increase levels and frequency of participation in sport and physical activity in the local area
• demonstrate the club/community groups commitment to addressing some or all of the key actions of the National Sports Policy
• have the potential to develop into a sustainable, longer-term programme.

The scheme will be based on identified needs. Limerick Sports Partnership and Sport Ireland and will work together to ensure that the investment is distributed fairly. Every effort will be made to ensure that the wider sports community benefits from this scheme. There is a €1,500 limit per club on this grant scheme however applications will be means tested and only clubs with the most need will be eligible for the full amount. Clubs should not feel that they have to apply for the full amount to be considered for support.

These grants can cover costs associated with reopening sports clubs and community groups during COVID-19, specifically:

• COVID-19 related costs for hygiene consumables (e.g. hand sanitiser, soap, face masks, gloves etc.)
• COVID-19 related infrastructure costs (e.g. plexiglass screens, wall mounted dispensers, signage)
• COVID-19 related venue and equipment cleaning costs
• Increased venue hire costs to comply with implementing social distancing guidelines
• COVID-19 related volunteer training costs
• COVID-19 related staff training costs
• Additional registration and event management costs (e.g. admin or IT costs to manage self-declarations)
• Other (provide description as to how this request relates to COVID-19).

CONDITIONS

• The decision of the awarding body in all matters relating to grant allocations is final.
• Successful applicants can only use the grant for the purposes specified on their application form. It is a stipulation of the grant that a Limerick Sports Partnership, designated representative may request to meet your club and where possible visit the club to see your programme being rolled out.
• Successful applicants will be required to complete Electronic Funds Transfer Form – no cheques will be issued (In exceptional circumstances, if a club or community group do not have a bank/credit union account, the LSP if your application is successful, will purchase the supplies on your behalf).
• Invoices and receipts amounting to total grant awarded MUST be submitted to the Sports Partnership by 1st December 2020.
• Limerick Sports Partnership have redeveloped their website and as such are asking that all sports clubs ONLY register their must up to date point of contact in order to be kept informed on all related grants, programmes, initiatives and educational opportunities that will benefit your club members, coaches, committees etc.

DISCLAIMER
Limerick Sports Partnership, Sport Ireland and LSP Board Members nor any bodies represented thereon will not accept liability for damage or injury which might arise in the use of any funds made available.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Complete the application form through the online portal making sure that you have read the Terms and Conditions.
• Complete the A to Z Clubs Database.