Town & Village Renewal Scheme
Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2025
Funded under Project Ireland 2040, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is a key measure directly supporting the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First (TCF) Policy.
About the Scheme
The Scheme, which was introduced in 2016, is part of a suite of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. The Scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered by the Local Authorities. Each year, the department reviews the priorities under the scheme and revises them according to needs.
A project submitted under the TVRS must be located in the town and village centre. The works associated with all proposed projects should be identified in relevant plans such as Town Centre First Plans, Waterford City & County Council Development Plan, town and village masterplans (or similar) developed in collaboration with the local community, businesses and other relevant stakeholders in the town or village.
Priorities for 2025 will be focused on projects that align with the objectives of Our Rural Future, Town Centre First and Our Living Islands by delivering on aims such as:
- Driving town centre regeneration.
- Supporting town/village centre plaza development;
- Develop green spaces / recreational amenities in town or village centres.
- Enhance streetscapes;
- Support town or village centre markets, e.g. farmer’s markets or artisan markets.
- Support the provision of infrastructure (e.g. public realm works, service provisions, canopies etc.) to facilitate town or village centre markets (e.g. farmers markets, open-air markets, local trader markets, artisan markets or similar);
- Upgrade / refurbish community centres.
- Bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use as multi-purpose community spaces;
Categories of Towns/Villages
Three categories of Towns/Villages are eligible for support under the scheme:
· Category 1: Towns/villages with a population of less than 5,000 people.
· Category 2: Towns with a population of 5,001-10,000 people
· Category 3: Larger towns with a population of up to 15,000 people may be eligible where the application is of a high quality and outlines a strong need for the investment, good value for money and positive outcomes that will have a substantial impact on the town
Central focus of the 2025 scheme will be on Category 1 towns and villages which will receive at least 60% of the overall funding available.
Rate of Aid
The rate of Aid for projects for this year will remain at 90% in recognition of the challenging environment for raising financial contributions. For the 2025, the minimum grant which is available is €50,000. The maximum level of grant funding available is remaining at €500,000 in respect of one application from each Local Authority. A maximum of €300,000 will apply in respect of 3 applications.
1 application must be in respect of Towns/Villages that have not previously received funding under the Standard Town & Village Renewal Scheme in the last 5 years.
Note: Voluntary labour is no longer an eligible form of match funding under the scheme.
Selection of projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme are by means of a competitive process as determined by guidelines from the DRCD. Full involvement by community interests and business interests will be an essential feature of successful projects. Successful proposals will include activities which have clear positive economic impacts on the town/village which are then submitted for consideration by DRCD.
If you would like more information on the Scheme, please email us at townvillagerenewal@waterfordcouncil.ie
