From Department of Rural and Community Development
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Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today announced €810,000 in funding to support 25 projects under the 2021 CLÁR Programme.
The funding will support local groups in developing community and sensory gardens, outdoor spaces and allotments.
In practical terms, communities will receive funding for the likes of raised flower beds, wildflower gardens, sensory planting, polytunnels, outdoor equipment, picnic tables and shelters. All projects must adhere to the Leave No Trace principles.
The 2021 CLÁR Programme is a key part of the Government’s five-year rural development strategy, Our Rural Future.
This year alone, the scheme has delivered over €5.7 million for projects across the country.
Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said:
“The projects receiving funding today will help to channel the real sense of pride that people in rural Ireland have in their localities and their environment.
“Funding for such community-led projects is at the very core of the Government’s vision for rural Ireland as set out in ‘Our Rural Future’.
“The funding will go a long way in terms of assisting our Community Groups, TidyTowns and Development Associations in making their localities more vibrant places to live and raise a family.
“This funding will lead to the creation of community spaces where people can come together and meet their families and friends.
“The initiative is also key in realising our desire to build an even more environmentally responsible society.
“As Minister, I am delighted to support these 25 projects and I look forward to visiting many of them in the future.”
Examples of some of the successful organisations include:
The full list of successful projects is available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/bd890-clar-2021-funding-approvals/
Today’s announcement is in addition to funding of over €4.2 million for 104 projects which the Minister announced on 30 August 2021 under Measures 1 and 2 of CLÁR and over €747k for 14 projects under Measure 3(b) announced on 2 September 2021.
An announcement regarding the CLÁR Innovation Measure will be made in the coming weeks.
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:
Measure1: 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 Measure 3(a) and the previously announced successful projects under Measure 1, 2 and 3(b) can be found on: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/bd890-clar-2021-funding-approvals/