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2024/2025 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme Expression of Interest

Waterford City & County Council will administer the 2024/2025 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) funded by the Department of Rural & Community Development. ORIS is funded under Project Ireland 2040 and is a key initiative of Our Rural Future – Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 and Embracing Ireland’s Outdoorsthe National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2027.

In line with Embracing Ireland’s Outdoorsoutdoor recreation is defined as activities that take place in the natural environment, such as walking, canoeing, mountain biking, orienteering and wild swimming. It does not include activities that take place outdoors on confined courses or pitches (such as golf, football, and show-jumping) or motorised activities (such as quads/scramblers). As a consequence, such activities are not eligible for funding under ORIS.

The focus of ORIS is to support outdoor recreational infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland that not only provides an outlet for the communities in which they are situated but also delivers added value from a tourism perspective. Projects typically funded by ORIS include walkways, cycleways, blueways, water and cycle trails, mountain access routes, bridleways, and open water amenities at bogs, rivers, lakes and beaches, including tidal pools.

2024/2025 ORIS Scheme Measures:

Measure

Description

Grant amount

Measure 1

Small Scale Repair/Development/Promotion and Marketing

Up to €40,000

Measure 2

Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail/Amenity Development

Up to €200,000

Measure 3

Strategic Large-Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategic Trail/Amenity Development

Up to €500,000

Project Development Measure

Development Costs for Strategic Large-Scale Projects

Up to €50,000

A key focus of the scheme will be on the repair/upgrade/development/promotion and marketing of already existing trails and outdoor recreation infrastructure in Co. Waterford. For more detail see: https://visitwaterford.com/trails/

Waterford City & County Council now seeks expressions of interest from Trail Management Organisations (TMOs)/community groups for funding of suitable projects under this initiative. Expression of interest forms can be downloaded here or obtained by e-mailing outdoorrecreation@waterfordcouncil.ie

All those submitting an expression of interest form should, in the first instance make themselves aware of the scheme outlines and guidelines particularly regarding their proposal’s eligibility.

Completed expression of interest forms must be emailed to outdoorrecreation@waterfordcouncil.ie before 5.00pm Friday 22nd November 2024. 

Expressions of interest received after this date and time will not be considered for the 2024/2025 scheme.  All applications will be subject to a selection process using National Criteria. Selected expression of interest applications will be developed into detailed bids for consideration for the ORIS 2024/2025.

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