CLÁR Programme
CLÁR Funding 2025
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary TD, recently launched the 2025 CLÁR Scheme. CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.
Please find the link to the Press Release here
The scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD).
It is delivered by local authorities in consultation with schools, local community and voluntary groups and local development companies.
The measures being funded under the 2025 CLÁR programme are:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities
Measure 1 will support a variety of capital projects provided that they contribute to the enhancement of existing, and/or the development of new, accessible Community Recreation Facilities. All community amenities funded under this programme must, in so far as practicable, be accessible to all abilities and ages.
A minimum grant of €5,000 and maximum grant of €65,000 will apply to this measure. To facilitate projects of a slightly greater scale, each local authority can submit 2 applications seeking grant funding of up to €100,000. The scheme will provide up to 90% of the cost. The remaining 10% or balance of the cost must be provided through local authority/community/other resources. Philanthropic contributions will be accepted as full or part of match funding costs. This funding must be in place at the time of application. Please note that match funding cannot come from other DRCD Schemes.
The list below provides an indication of the types of projects that may be supported, but is not exhaustive:
- Small-scale renovation works to community facilities open to the wider community such as community centres/sports centres/clubhouses of sporting groups/youth centres/men’s sheds and so on. This includes external works such as parking and accessibility enhancements
- Multi-use gaming areas (MUGAs) and astroturf facilities including upgrades
- Playgrounds, skateboard parks, pump tracks, cycling tracks and teenage spaces
- Walking, running, and athletics tracks
- Handball alleys, tennis courts, basketball courts, cricket grounds, and outdoor bowling areas
- Community gyms and community cinemas
- Sensory gardens, community gardens, allotments, and biodiversity planting
- Access to unique local heritage sites and areas of natural beauty
- Enhanced outdoor toilet and changing facilities
- Car parking
- Improving access at sports grounds, for example, development and upgrading of spectator stands at local sports grounds with a particular focus on improving access for people of all abilities and ages
- Solar bins
How to apply
For Measure 1, apply via Submit.com by 4pm Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Before completing your application, read the CLÁR 2025 Measure 1 Scheme Outline
You will need supporting documentation ready to upload. These include land ownership or 15-year lease and land owner permission, bank statement, quotation or estimated costs, planning permission, and so on.
Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Any questions?
To check eligibility for Measure 1, please email clar@longfordcoco.ie or call 043 334 33 07, 043 334 34 56 or 043 334 34 72
Help with your application
You are advised to start your online application as soon as possible. You do not have to complete it all in the one go, you can pause and save it in draft format at any time. When you have completed your application you can then submit it.
Here are three short videos to help you with your application:
- help applicants register
- navigate the application process
- access a draft at a later stage
You can also get help with your application through the following:
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport and Meals on Wheels services
This measure is being administered directly by the Department. Measure 2 supports voluntary groups that provide free transport to people receiving cancer care and other treatment, as well as Community First Response Support and Search and Rescue organisations.
The Measure 2 closing date is Friday, 23 May 2025. For further information, see the Department of Rural and Community Development webpage.
Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
This measure is being administered directly by the Department. Measure 3 is designed to support offshore island communities, with funding available towards community transport projects and amenities projects.
Measure 3 closing date Friday, 13 June 2025. For further information, see the Department of Rural and Community Development webpage.
Data Privacy
The purpose of processing personal data collected on this application form is to assist Longford County Council manage and administer your application. We process this personal data under Article (6)(1)(b) of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), 'processing is necessary for the performance of the contract to which that data subject is party'. Further information on how Longford County Council process your personal data and your rights can be found on our Privacy Policy.
