CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered significant levels of population decline.
The CLÁR Funding Scheme is available to areas of population decline in County Waterford as defined in the CLÁR area map and in the List of CLÁR Electoral Districts
The Department of Rural and Community Development launched 2025 CLÁR funding on Friday 4th April, 2025. 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. This funding assists in building the resilience of these rural communities.
The CLÁR 2025 Funding Scheme is now open for applications.
The measures being funded under the 2025 CLÁR programme are:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport
Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
Please note: Measure 1 will be operated by Waterford City and County Council. Applications MUST be made by word document and should be submitted to Waterford City and County Council. Please email completed applications to swhelan@waterfordcouncil.ie by Friday 30th May 2025 by 4:00p.m. (no late applications will be considered)
Waterford City and County Council will be operating Measure 1 of the CLÁR scheme with funding for the enhancement of existing, and/or the development of new, accessible Community Recreation Facilities. 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. This means that each local authority can submit the following:
• 13 applications seeking funding of between €5,000 and €65,000
• 2 applications seeking funding of between €5,000 and €100,000
• 1 additional application seeking funding of between €5,000 and €65,000
in respect of a Gaeltacht area located in their county.
Eligible projects
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 and therefore further build the resilience of rural communities.
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 etc. This includes external works such as parking and accessibility enhancements
· Multi-use gaming areas (MUGAs)/Astro-turf facilities including upgrades
· Playgrounds/skateboard parks/pump tracks/cycling tracks/teenage spaces
· Walking/running /athletics tracks
· Handball alleys/tennis courts/basketball courts/cricket grounds/ outdoor bowling areas
· Community gyms/community cinemas
· Sensory gardens/Community gardens/ allotments/ biodiversity planting
· Access to unique local heritage sites / areas of natural beauty
· Enhanced outdoor toilet and changing facilities
· Car parking
· Improving access at sports grounds e.g. development/upgrade of spectator stands at local sports grounds with a particular focus on improving access for people of all abilities and ages
· Solar Bins
Note: All necessary consents must be in place at the time of making an application e.g. landowner consent, planning permission, match funding etc. and proof of same must be submitted with any application. Details regarding the arrangements in place to insure and manage the facility must be submitted with any application.
Any Facilities funded must be available to the public without a requirement to be a member of a club, enrolled in a school etc. In particular, facilities on school grounds must be open to the public outside of school hours e.g. during the evenings, weekends and school holidays.
Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport provides funding for transport and Meals on Wheels and is being administered directly by the Department. Please see attached link: gov.ie – CLÁR-Funding for Small-Scale Rural Projects
Our Islands provides funding for Island Communities for Island Community Transport and Outdoor Community Recreation Amenities. This Measure is being administered directly by the Department. Please see attached link: gov.ie – CLÁR-Funding for Small-Scale Rural Projects
