Deadline: 10-May-23
Applications are now open for the Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais (CLÁR) Investment Programme for Rural Areas to provide funding for small infrastructural projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.
CLÁR Programme for 2023 The CLÁR Programme allocation has increased from €7m to €7.85 million in 2023. The 2023 programme will be delivered through three separate Measures as follows:
- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
- Up to 15 applications in total will be invited from relevant Local Authorities in respect of Measure 1.
- The 2023 programme will allow for applications to be submitted to the local authorities from schools, community and voluntary groups and local development companies under this Measure. Community groups can include local sporting organisations where the infrastructure being supported through the application is for the benefit of the community generally (not just the sporting organisation) and is made freely available to all members of the community.
- The proposed projects should be in line with the scheme outline, the County Development Plan/Town Plan, the Local Economic and Community Plan and the Climate Action Plan. Applications may include a number of different elements in respect of a single facility up to the maximum funding limit of €50,000.
- Any facilities funded must be availableto the public without a requirement to be a member of a club, enrolled in a school etc. In particular facilities on school grounds must be open to the public outside of school hours e.g. during the evenings, weekends and school holidays. Planning permission should be secured prior to application. If it is not secured, the planning reference number must be provided as evidence of an application being submitted.
- Eligible Applicants: Schools, community and voluntary groups, local development companies, local authorities.
- Selection of Projects Projects proposed to the Department by the local authority will be selected on the basis of:
- being located in a CLÁR area
- an application by a community or voluntary organisation, school or local development companies to the local authority
- clear evidence of need
- alignment with the County Development Plan/Town Plan, the Local Economic and Community Plan, and the Climate Action Plan.
- evidence that all necessary permissions are in place or are in train (planning reference number must be provided)
- evidence, where applicable, that ownership/minimum 15 year lease is in place
- comprehensive estimated costs
- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
- This measure will be operated directly by the Department of Rural and Community Development and is open to established organisations/groups that operate on a voluntary basis and provide:
- transport to/from day care/other medical/therapy/respite services for those with significant mobility issues including requiring specialised wheelchair accessible vehicles; or
- transport to/from designated cancer treatment hospitals/centres under the National Cancer Care Programme; or
- Community First Response Support/Search and Rescue organisations.
- Where applicant groups are members of a national/regional organisation, all subregional/national group applications must be submitted centrally by the parent organisation with an indication of their prioritisation of applications. In this context, the funding to such applications may be limited to €200,000 per organisation.
- This measure will be operated directly by the Department of Rural and Community Development and is open to established organisations/groups that operate on a voluntary basis and provide:
- Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
- Recognising the critical role that community and voluntary organisations play in the provision of vital services to vulnerable sectors of the community and particularly on the off-shore Islands, CLÁR 2023 has a specific measure to respond to the needs of these Island communities.
- Like many of the other CLÁR areas, the Islands have seen significant levels of depopulation over the last number of years and also face specific challenges such as rural isolation, population decline, service accessibility and social disadvantage.
- This Measure will fund interventions on inhabited off-shore Islands under:
- Island Community Transport; and
- Island Community Amenities.
- Eligible CLÁR Area: This Measure will fund projects on inhabited off-shore Islands. CLÁR eligibility is based on being physically located within a designated CLÁR DED.
- Maximum grant available of €100,000 for a vehicle, increasing to €120,000 where solar panel and charging point are included. Maximum one application per Island. A match funding contribution of 10% is required. Philanthropic contributions may be accepted as full or part of match funding costs.
Assessment Criteria
- It should be noted that, in assessing the applications received, a number of factors will be considered including the indicated order of priority (where applicable); the range, mix, quality and impact of proposed projects; previous funding provided and other relevant considerations.
- The applicant must ensure that the application form is fully completed and complies with the 2023 Scheme Outline.
Deadlines
- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
- Applications due with Roscommon County Council: 10th May 2023
- Funding awarded (indicative): September 2023
- Projects completed and drawn down: 28th March 2025
- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
- Applications due: 12th May 2023
- Funding awarded (indicative): July 2023
- Projects completed and drawdown: 26th July 2024
- Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
- Applications due: 6th June 2023
- Funding awarded (Indicative): September 2023
- Projects completed and drawdown: 28th March 2025
For more information, visit Roscommon County Council.
