Rural Development Fund - Enhancing Remote Working Facilities

The Rural Development Fund aims to enhance existing remote working facilities and business continuity plans. With a focus on small capital projects in hubs, the fund supports upgrades such as infrastructure expansion, privacy booths, security systems, office space conversion, energy efficiency improvements, and more. Applications are open to all hubs, emphasizing collaboration and innovation to address COVID-related challenges. Funds must be utilized by the end of 2021, with a commitment to join the National Hub Network.

• Rural Development
• Remote Working
• Business Continuity
• Hub Network
• Infrastructure Enhancement

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1. 2021 Connected Hubs Call Information Session

2. Purpose of the Fund To develop and leverage the capacity and quality of existing remote working facilities and BCPs Key support for building the National Hub Network programme Not for building of new hubs or regeneration of vacant buildings into hubs Main T&V and RRDF as usual Additional Covid-19 measures also supported 2 An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail | Department of Rural and Community Development

3. Key Details 5m in Fund Targeting small, shovel-ready capital projects in hubs/BCPs No geographic limitations (i.e. it is not the same as T&V) Projects funded must be completed by End 2021 Hubs funded must commit to membership of the National Hub Network (Membership costs will be subsidised by DRCD) Applications are invited from all hubs, regardless of whether they are in private or public ownership 3 An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail | Department of Rural and Community Development

4. Single Hub and Multi-Hub Applications Driving Collaboration and Economies of Scale Application No. of Hubs Min Grant Max Grant 1 Single 10,000 75,000 5+ Multi-hub 10,000 250,000 As a general rule, BCPs in counties should apply as a group. It is 5 hubs, not 5 organisations that make up a multi-hub application Multi-hub applications can be mixed (BCPs, LA hubs, PS hubs) 4 An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail | Department of Rural and Community Development

5. Key Details Projects which may be funded under this call include, but are not limited to: Expansion of existing remote working infrastructure Installation of privacy booths in existing hubs Installation of access control and security systems additional information will be posted to the website Conversion of existing open plan space to modular offices Audio Visual upgrade facilities Building Control Systems Energy Efficiency Upgrades Electric Car Charging Points Disability Access Upgrading Upgrade of meeting rooms Upgrade of external signage IT Network upgrades, wiring, access points and a secure control system Innovative measures to assist existing hubs to deal with COVID-related challenges Promotion & marketing campaigns to raise awareness of improvements made to drive increased hub usage Innovation and new ideas are encouraged in applications 5 An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail | Department of Rural and Community Development

6. Matched Funding Publicly Owned or Community Hubs Matched funding of 10% must be provided with a minimum 5% cash contribution. In-kind contributions can take the form of substantially discounted or free use of hubs by Public Participation Networks, Social Enterprises and students from local communities. In the case where a non-cash contribution takes the form of cost-free access to the hub, this will be monitored by the Department All other Hubs Matched funding of 10% must be provided in the form of a cash contribution. A further in-kind contribution to a value of 25% of the approved grant over 3 years is required. This contribution could take the form of substantially discounted or cost-free use of hubs by Public Participation Networks, Social Enterprises and/or students from local communities. 6 An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail | Department of Rural and Community Development

7. Evaluation The Fund s evaluation criteria are: Weighting 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% Developing and Leveraging Hub Infrastructure Quality of Proposal Methodology Value for Money Collaboration Collaboration, although only 10% of the marks, is a key consideration for the Department 7 An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail | Department of Rural and Community Development

8. Role of Local Authorities Should be the first port-of-call for Hub Operators LAs can help co-ordinate and direct eligible projects (Connected Hubs, Main T&V, RRDF/REDF/URDF) Matchmaking multi-hub applications where appropriate BBOs should engage with their BCP site owners and coordinate applications Have a role in identifying in-kind contributions 8 An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail | Department of Rural and Community Development

9. Key Dates Fund Launched 29 April Requesting Expressions of Interest by 28 May Deadline for applications is 17 June Successful projects announced in July Projects completed 31 December 9 An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail | Department of Rural and Community Development