Support from rural regeneration fund
THERE are still two months left for any projects seeking support from the Government’s new Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
The funds objective 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 Min- ister 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.
Minister of State Andrew Doyle is encouraging Wicklow County Council and local communities to submit proposals for funding.
He 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 Wicklow County Council and community organisations here in Wicklow make submissions for funding. This will be a competitive process open to public bodies and locally based organisations.’
The fund will support projects 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 per cent of the total value of a project. A maximum of 80 per cent of funding will be considered where community contributions form a significant element of the match-funding. Full details of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, along with the application form, are at www. drcd.gov.ie.
The deadline is September 27.