Local community safety initiatives in Waterford can now apply for the 2024 round of the Community Safety Fund, which reinvests proceeds of crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) back into local communities, Waterford Fine Gael Senator John Cummins has said.
Senator Cummins said: “Waterford community projects, chosen for their work on issues relevant to community safety and youth justice, could receive grants ranging from €20,000 - €150,000 under the Community Safety Fund this year.
“It’s an innovative means of redirecting funds back into our local communities, while highlighting the work undertaken by An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau to seize the proceeds of criminal activities.
“Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has announced this week that the fund will be increased to €3.75 million, due to its success in previous years. We in Fine Gael are committed to creating safer streets and stronger communities, and we are always looking at new ways to tackle crime. CAB has been a huge success and it is only right that the proceeds are redirected to local communities.
Senator Cummins continued: “Quality of life is significantlyimproved when people feel safe in their communities. Local people here in Waterford have the greatest understanding of what is impacting us and are best equipped to help combat these issues in our community. The funding call is open from 30th May to 26th July 2024. Applications are invited from community safety and youth justice initiatives, either from individual organisations or groups led by community organisations, not-for-profits, or social enterprises, with a preference for innovative approaches.
“Those who have benefitted in previous year are invited to reapply, as long as they provide evidence of strong outputs from their previous projects.
“Further information on applying is available on the Gov.ie website. I would love to see Waterford benefit as much as possible from this funding, so I am encouraging allorganisations or projects that fit the criteria to apply,” Senator Cummins concluded.