By Business & Finance 
KBC Bank Ireland has announced the names of the winning community projects to receive funding this year through the bank’s Bright Ideas community support initiative.
A total of 40 projects across Ireland have received funding from a pool of €100,000 donated by KBC as a way to support groups and individuals who are working to transform their communities, and who require funding to continue with the great work that they are doing.
Aidan Power, director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, KBC Bank Ireland, said: “It takes just one individual or group to turn a bright idea into a reality and help make a difference in their local community. With 15 hubs in towns and cities around the country, KBC has a role to play in community life too. Our Bright Ideas programme is about recognising innovative thinking and giving local projects a chance to shine with the help of funding and support. I am pleased to say that the public can also get involved this year and vote for their favourite project to receive additional funding. I would encourage people to get behind the shortlisted projects, show their support and get voting for KBC’s Brightest Idea for better communities in 2015.”
Over 300 community groups and individuals applied to KBC’s Bright Ideas for funding this year. Entries were reviewed by independent judging panels at a local level. A total of 40 community projects were shortlisted for funding, with 10 selected to go forward to the National Final. Members of the public can now vote online at www.kbcbrightideas.com for their favourite initiative to become KBC’s Brightest Idea and receive an extra €5,000 funding.
This year’s 40 winning projects address a variety of social needs in local communities, and include a range of urban regeneration, learning and development, sports and play, care and wellbeing initiatives.
The 10 community projects shortlisted for public vote include:
- Peter McVerry Trust – ‘Home’ Project, Dublin city
- Flanagan’s Fields Co-operative Regeneration Project, Rialto, Dublin 8
- Naas CBS Transition Year Students & Naas Tidy Towns Project, Co. Kildare
- Heartsafe Community Programme, Kilcock, Co. Kildare
- CB1 Gallery/Meeting Space, Limerick city
- Elemental Festival Arts/Culture Project, Limerick city
- Glounthaune Tidy Towns Funtastic Kiddy Ecotrail Project, Glounthaune, Co. Cork
- Rainbow Club for Autism, Mahon, Co. Cork
- Ballybane Welcome Project, Galway city
- Marathon Mara Project, Connemara, Co. Galway
For the full list of winning initiatives and more information on KBC Bright Ideas, visit www.kbcbrightideas.com.
