Rural communities can tap into €20m development fund

The Government has announced a €20m fund under its Action Plan for Rural Development aimed at supporting “measures which have a clear economic impact on rural towns and villages”.

The scheme will allow towns and villages with populations of fewer than 10,000 people apply to their local council for funding of between €20,000 and €100,000 for projects that foster partnerships between the community and local businesses.

Funding will also be available for art works in public spaces, while 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 economic benefit to a town and its outlying areas”.