Deadline: 16-Jul-21
The Department of Rural and Community Development has launched a call for proposals for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to support job creation in rural areas, address de-population of rural communities and support improvements in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas.
Objective: The fund is supporting coordinated and integrated projects between government departments, State agencies, local authorities, other public bodies, communities and, where appropriate, philanthropic funders and/or the private sector, which will have an impact on sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.
The Fund is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development. To date, the Fund has allocated funding of €249 million for 164 projects around the country worth a total of €338 million.
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 Rural Regeneration and Development Fund can fund projects including (but not limited to):
- infrastructure that may be needed to support town centre housing and/or commercial development
- measures to address building vacancy including building refurbishment, redevelopment and/or demolition
- the development of community or public facilities infrastructure including improvements to roads, bridges and car parking facilities
- infrastructure that improves telecommunications connectivity
- projects that support job creation, entrepreneurship and innovation in rural areas (for example: development of Digital Hubs, Enterprise Hubs, Creative Hubs, or training facilities)
- enhancement of heritage and/or other community assets including the provision/enhancement of recreational or leisure facilities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Proposals are being invited from Local Authorities, and other locally/regionally based organisations, such as Local Development Companies, as well as government departments and State agencies. For the purpose of accountability and oversight, the lead partner of all projects must be a State funded body, but collaboration with the private sector is encouraged.
- Proposals may be made in respect of towns with populations of 10,000 or fewer and their outlying areas. A limited number of specified towns with a population of 10,000 or fewer will be eligible for support under the Urban Regeneration Fund which is being operated by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government; however, funding will only be provided under one fund for any particular project.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/c77144-rural-regeneration-and-development-fund/#introduction