The third call for proposals under the Rural Regeneration and Development was announced on Friday by Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring.

The fund provides €1bn in investment over 10 years, with an initial fund of €315m allocated on a phased basis over the period 2019 to 2022.

Minister Ring said: “The impact of the funding allocated under previous calls to the fund has been transformative for rural communities.

The funding of these projects was very well timed

"Since the conclusion of the first call in late 2018, this fund has provided €148m in support for over 100 projects, located all across the country, worth a combined total of €212m.

"The funding of these projects was very well timed, as they are right now delivering an immediate and much needed economic stimulus in rural Ireland.

"The assistance provided by this fund has meant that businesses and communities have benefitted from the activity and jobs provided in delivering these projects, at precisely the time they have been most needed.”

Capital projects

This call under the fund is for category one applications, which relate to capital projects that have planning in place and are ready to commence at the date of application.

It is expected that a funding announcement relating to the second call for category two applications – for projects which require assistance for project development work in order to reach full delivery readiness – will be made shortly.

The announcement says the fund is seeking to support large-scale, ambitious projects which deliver on the objectives set out above.

In that regard, applications of scale are sought, with a minimum funding request of €500,000.

Applications to the fund must be led by a State-funded body - local authorities, local development companies, State agencies, commercial State bodies, etc. - but collaboration between parties, including with communities, is strongly encouraged.

“This call for applications to the fund seeks to provide assistance in supporting economic recovery in rural areas in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and to assist in delivering sustainable regeneration in rural towns and villages, driving greater economic activity and helping to address challenges such as dereliction and vacancy.

"Applications to the fund which support in the decarbonisation of the economy and environmental sustainability are particularly welcome,” said Minister Ring.

Sustainable contribution

“It is vitally important that the project proposals for the fund seek to make a tangible and sustainable contribution to economic recovery, the continued development of rural towns, villages and their communities and help support the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy.

"In order to make certain that we receive the very best applications possible and that the requirement for communities, agencies and local authorities to source the necessary match funding is kept to a minimum, I have increased the funding rate that will apply to projects approved under the third call under the fund to a maximum of 90%.”

The closing date for the receipt of proposals is 12pm on Tuesday 1 December 2020.

Full details of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are available on the Department of Rural and Community Development website at https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/c77144-rural-regeneration-and-development-fund/.