There are a range of different investment schemes and supports available for rural and community development. Here is a brief description of each as well as links to the individual services and how to apply for them.

CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd Riachtanais) or Funding for Small-Scale Rural Projects is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small-scale – infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered the greatest levels of population decline.

… more on CLÁR-Funding for Small-Scale Rural Projects

The Community Centres Investment Fund is the largest ever capital investment in Community Centres. It offers benefits to buildings that are community owned and primarily used for community activities.

The fund has allocated more than €65 million to community centre projects around the country since 2022.

… more on the Community Centres Investment Fund

The Community Recognition Fund is a major initiative designed to support and reward communities that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries.

It supported nearly 900 projects in 2023, ranging from largescale multi-purpose sports facilities, upgrades to community centres, equipment for sports clubs, outdoor walkways, playgrounds, community buses and equipment for festivals.

… more on the Community Recognition Fund

The Community Services Programme supports community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model, creating employment opportunities for specific disadvantaged groups and people.

… more on the Community Services Programme

LEADER is a rural development programme co-funded by the European Union. It operates a locally-led, bottom-up, approach to meeting the needs of communities and businesses in rural areas.

The programme plays an important role in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level.

Those interested in accessing assistance under the LEADER Programme should contact their local action group.

… more on LEADER Rural Development

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) provides funding to help local authorities carry out improvement works on private and non-publicly maintained roads.

These roads can often lead to multiple homes, farmland and amenities such as lakes, rivers or beaches.

If you have or know a road in need of repair that’s not maintained, then contact your local authority to see if LIS funding would be available.

… more on the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS)

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. It also provides support for the necessary repair, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland.

… more on the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a commitment of €1 billion by government to be invested in rural Ireland over the period 2019 to 2027.

The purpose of the fund is to support job creation, address de-population of rural communities and support improvements in our towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000.

… more on the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

SICAP is the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme.

SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. It does this through Programme Implementers, agencies and companies, who work with the most disadvantaged and the hardest to reach in communities.

… more on Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP)

The central aim of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is to support the revitalisation of towns and villages, to improve the living and working environment of their communities, and increase their potential to support increased economic activity into the future.

The type of projects to be funded under this scheme is primarily a matter for the local authorities to identify in partnership with local business and communities.

…more on the Town and Village Renewal Scheme

The Walks Scheme facilitates the development and maintenance of key walking trails by private landholders.

The scheme is administered by Local Development Companies (LDCs) who deliver the scheme in their area on behalf of the department.

Under the Programme for Government and Our Rural Future, the department committed to doubling the number of trails under the Scheme.