- New Innovation Measure to support diverse range of projects in rural communities
- Projects include the first ever Gaelteacht Retrofit Co-op and digital supports for elderly citizens
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today, (Monday, November 8th) announced over €700,000 in funding to support 18 projects under the CLÁR Programme.
The funding is part of a new Innovation Measure designed to support communities in delivering projects that assist with issues such as rural isolation, population decline and social disadvantage.
The CLÁR Programme is a key part of Our Rural Future – the Government’s five year strategy designed to revitalise Rural Ireland.
Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted to announce funding for these projects, as part of the CLÁR programme’s new Innovation Measure.
“This is a measure that is designed to support innovative and bold ideas that will make a difference in communities across rural Ireland.
“The range of projects being awarded funding today shows the depth of talent, innovation and creativity that exists in rural Ireland. Harnessing this resource is a key element of the Government’s vision for rural Ireland as set out in Our Rural Future.
“I’m really looking forward to visiting these projects to see first-hand the impact that they will have in rural towns and villages.”
As part of the competitive application process, a wide range of innovative proposals were received from community organisations and local authorities across the CLÁR areas.
Some of the projects which have now been selected for funding include:
- Co. Kerry - SMARTlab Skelligs Living Iveragh - To develop a Research and Development Innovation Centre of Excellence focused on STEAM, Design Thinking, Leadership and Youth-led Innovation - €50,000
- Co. Cork - Cork County Council - Drone technology to assess areas in the event of a natural disaster, such as a flood, where the area can be hazardous to access - €21,355
- Co. Kerry - The Kerry Diocesan Youth Service, Cahersiveen Social Services and the University of Limerick - Cross-generational Connection with Youth Action addressing IT poverty among older people in South Kerry - €50,000
- Co. Mayo - Newport Dark Sky Friendly Lighting Project – removing existing lighting from the Viaduct Bridge and Church Grounds and replacing it with ecologically friendly lights to enhance the nocturnal environment safely - €50,000
- Co. Galway - Comhairle Ceantar na nOileán Teo. – establishment of Ireland's first Gaeltacht Retrofit Co-op - €50,000
The full list of successful projects is available on gov.ie here.
Today’s announcement is in addition to funding of over €5.7m for 143 projects which Minister Humphreys recently announced under CLÁR for schools and community safety measures, outdoor community recreation facilities, community gardens and allotments, and mobility and cancer care transport services. This brings the total amount funded under the CLÁR 2021 programme to over €6.5m for over 160 projects.
ENDS
Contact:
The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office
01-773 6843 / 087-1734633
Press.office@drcd.gov.ie
Note to photodesks:
Pictured at Drumgoon Hill, Co. Cavan, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD announcing funding of over €700,000 for 18 projects under CLÁR Programme.
The CLÁR Programme is a key part of Our Rural Future ¬– the Government’s five year strategy designed to revitalise Rural Ireland.
Note to editors:
Our Rural Future
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
The CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and forms part of the Government’s ambitious new five-year policy for rural Ireland, Our Rural Future. CLÁR is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects.
There are designated CLÁR areas in all counties with the exception of Dublin, Kildare and Wexford. Details of the designated areas can be found here.
CLÁR funding works in conjunction with local funding and on the basis of locally identified priorities. Originally launched in 2001 but closed for applications in 2009, the CLÁR Programme was reintroduced in 2016.
CLÁR 2021 was announced in March 2021 with applications invited under 4 Measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Outdoor Community Recreation Facilities
Measure 3: Community Wellbeing Support
(a) Community Gardens and Allotments
(b) Mobility and Cancer Care Transport
CLÁR Innovation Measure: Funding for innovative or pilot projects that address specific challenges faced by communities in CLÁR areas.
Details of the successful projects under successful projects under Measure 1, 2, 3a and 3(b) can be found on gov.ie here.