9 July 2018
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Projects seeking support from the Government’s new Rural Regeneration and Development Fund have just over two months to apply, a Fine Gael Senator said.
The objective of the Rural Regeneration and Development fund is to support collaborative and integrated projects between Government departments, State agencies, local authorities, other public bodies, communities and, where appropriate, philanthropic funders and/or the private sector.
The fund, under the remit of Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, will be open to local authorities, local development companies, State agencies, other Government departments, philanthropic funders, the private sector and communities. The lead partner must be a State-funded body.
Senator Lombard
Cork Senator, Tim Lombard, is encouraging local authorities and communities to submit proposals for funding. The closing date for the receipt of proposals is 27th September 2018 and it is anticipated that successful projects will be announced in late October/early November.
Full details of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, along with the application form, are available on the Department of Rural and Community Development website, at www.drcd.gov.ie.
Senator Lombard said: “The new Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will invest €1 billion of exchequer funding over the next 10 years. The fund provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to make a significant impact which will transform our rural communities for the better.
“The overarching aim of the new funding is to have an impact on sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.
“It is essential that Cork County Council and community organisations here in Cork make submissions for funding. This will be a competitive process open to public bodies and locally based organisations.
“The type of projects it will support will include: addressing infrastructural deficits in towns and villages; encouraging enterprise; and enhancing heritage and community assets in rural areas.
“The Fund will target towns with a population of less than 10,000 people, as well as villages and outlying rural areas.
“In general, the fund will provide up to 75% of the total value of a project. A maximum of 80% of funding will be considered where community contributions form a significant element of the match-funding,” the Fine Gael Senator concluded.
Minister Michael Ring said: ““The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund represents an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen the fabric of rural Ireland and make a significant and sustainable positive impact on rural communities.
“The scale of the Fund shows that this Government understands the need for proper investment in rural areas and that it is committed to supporting rural Ireland. For those who live in rural parts of Ireland, the new Fund being announced today provides an opportunity to make a real difference to their quality of life, to their connectivity and to their future.
“The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will be a key instrument to support the objectives of Project Ireland 2040, and, in particular, to achieving strengthened rural economies and communities.”
