Funding Sources

The following is a list of the funding sources that are available to support the plan.

Active Travel Funds 

  • Support the development of high-quality cycling and walking infrastructure outside of cities. 
  • Specifically targeted at towns and villages. 
  • Additional Outdoor Infrastructure Fund. 
  • Additional €15 million fund set up to ensure a ‘Safe Outdoor Summer’. 
  • Designed to be used to enhance outdoor urban space and improve walking and cycling infrastructure. 

CLAR 

  • Funding for small-scale infrastructure projects in rural areas. 
  • The measures funded under the CLAR are listed below: 

Support for schools/community safety measures. 

Outdoor community recreation facilities. 

Community well-being measures. 

Community gardens and allotments. 

Mobility and cancer care transport. 

Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) 

  • Small capital grants for community groups to allow them to enhance facilities in disadvantaged areas. 
  • Administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from their local authorities. 

Community Heritage Grant Scheme 

  • Supports capital projects that improve access and inclusion to heritage sites. 

Connected Hubs Fund 

  • €5 million fund to expand existing hub facilities, providing additional hot desks, office space and meeting rooms for remote working. 
  • Can be used to provide electric car charging, upgrade disability access and improve IT facilities located in Hubs or Broadband Connected Points (BCPs). 

Historic Structures Fund 

  • Supports historic and protected structures safeguarding and maintenance. 
  • Grants of between €15,000 and €20,000 for the owners and custodians of historic structure. 

Irish Georgian Society 

  • Conserves, protects and fosters an interest and a respect for Ireland’s architectural heritage and decorative arts. 

LEADER Programme 

  • Fund for projects that improve the following: 
  • Rural tourism. 
  • Enterprise development. 
  • Broadband. 
  • Basic services targeted at hard-to-reach communities. 
  • Rural youth. 
  • Protection and sustainable use of water resources. 
  • Local biodiversity. 
  • Renewable energy. 

Outdoor Public Spaces Scheme 

  • Support for LAs to adapt, equip or improve public spaces for cultural events and activities. 
  • LAs are invited to propose capital projects for flexible outdoor spaces for year-round use. 
  • Up to €250,000 at a project funding rate of 90%. 

Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme 

  • Supports key objectives for ‘Our Rural Future’. 
  • Funding to develop natural amenities in rural areas. 
  • Development of outdoor sport facilities, including outdoor trails, walkways, cycleways, Blueway’s, tidal pools, floating boardwalks and bridleways. 
  • Funding ranges from €20,000 to €500,000 depending on the size of the scheme. 

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund 

  • €1 billion commitment from government to be invested from 2019 to 2027. 
  • Aims to support job creation in rural areas, address de-population and support investment into towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000. 

Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) 

  • Active and friendly community that aims to protect and promote the wonderful, national built heritage on the whole island of Ireland. 
  • Has its own committee, which currently consists of 14 members. 

Town and Village Renewal Scheme 

  • Set up to support the revitalisation of towns and villages to improve the living and working conditions in their communities and increase their potential to support increased economic activity. 
  • Maximum grant of €500,000. 
  • The projects that will receive funding will: 
  • Increase the attractiveness of the town or village as a local commercial centre. 
  • Enhance the areas environment and amenities in the interests of residents, businesses and visitors. 
  • Promote the areas potential for tourism. 

UBU – Your Place, Your Space 

  • School supports to young people. 
  • Mostly community based activities. 

Historic Towns Initiative 

  • An initiative to promote heritage-led regeneration and to improve the quality of our historic towns and villages for residents and tourists. 

5.3 Funding sources