About the Scheme
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is an initiative under the Action Plan for Rural Development and is part of a package of national and local support measures to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland through the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 Rural Regeneration Programme. The Scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered by the Local Authorities.
Local Authorities will be required to advertise for expressions of interest from towns/villages in their area and can select up to 6 proposals for development into detailed applications to be submitted to the Department by the end of August.
The 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme will operate on the same basis as has been delivered in recent years, albeit with a particular focus on projects delivering an economic dividend and enabling towns and villages to respond to COVID-19 challenges. Selection of projects will be by means of a competitive process, with the final project selection being made by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Categories of Towns/Villages
Two categories of Towns/Villages are eligible for support under the scheme:
Category 1: Towns/villages with a population of less than 5,000 people
Category 2: Towns with a population of 5,000-10,000 people
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At least 60% of the funding available will be awarded to Category 1 towns and villages.
Successful proposals will demonstrate close collaboration between communities and business interests in the design and delivery of proposed projects, and must have the support of the Local Authority.
Sustainable impacts
Particular emphasis this year on projects that support the economic and social recovery of our towns and villages in response to COVID-19. Projects which have clear positive impacts on a town or village in terms of place-making and town centre regeneration, or which stimulate economic activity between a town/village and its neighbouring townlands will be particularly welcome, as will proposals seeking to develop initiatives to encourage town centre living.
Projects which demonstrate leveraging of, or linkages with, other schemes operated by Government Departments or agencies (e.g. in the areas of heritage, arts, culture, tourism, re-use of vacant premises, vacant sites, energy efficiency schemes, etc) will also be encouraged.
Grant levels
As a once off measure maximum grant level for any individual project has been increased to 90% of the total cost of a project. The minimum grant which is available is €20,000 and the maximum is €100,000. A higher maximum of €200,000 will be considered for a limited number of projects where a strong case can be made demonstrating exceptionally strong benefit to a town and/or its outlying areas.
Expressions of Interest Return Information
Please note that an Expression of Interest (EOI) form must be submitted on or before 5:00 pm on Tuesday 07th July 2020 (details on the form).
Any EOIs received after this time will not be considered.
These EOIs will be assessed and 6 will be developed into detailed applications which must be lodged with the Department on or before 28th August 2020.