Minister Calleary Opens Applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) for Large Scale Capital Projects
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 27 February 2026
- Last updated on: 27 February 2026
- This RRDF Category 1 call for proposals relates to strategic, large-scale projects that have all necessary consents in place and are ready to commence
- Applications of scale are sought, with a minimum funding request of €500,000 and up to a maximum of €10 million
- RRDF Investment to date of over €614 million across 273 projects nationally
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, today (Friday, 27 February) opened applications in respect of a Category 1 Call for Proposals under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).
Funded under Project Ireland 2040, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is a key measure directly supporting the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy.
The key focus of this Call is to support projects that can revitalise our rural towns and villages, providing the necessary facilities and infrastructure in settlements to assist in attracting people to live, work and invest in rural areas while aiming to ensure that rural towns, villages and communities can prosper in the years ahead.
This Call for proposals invites applications for strategically important, large-scale capital projects that have full planning and other consents in place and are ready to commence.
Speaking today, Minister Calleary said:
“I am delighted to announce the opening of this Call for Proposals and invite Category 1 applications under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
“RRDF is the flagship funding scheme in my Department and, since becoming Minister a little over 12 months ago, I have seen evidence of why it is so important. RRDF investment in projects, such as the Shackleton Experience in Athy, Co. Kildare, have transformed towns and villages, created new tourist attractions and developed thriving hubs where communities meet.
“With over €614 million in funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund since it was first launched, the impact is clear, it has been transformative for our rural communities.”
The Minister continued:
“The capacity of the Fund to deliver projects of this scale and ambition represents an unprecedented opportunity for rural areas.
“I welcome co-ordinated, collaborative and integrated projects that will directly deliver on the objectives of Our Rural Future, the whole-of-government policy for sustainable rural development in Ireland. In particular, I am inviting proposals for projects that will help revitalise our rural towns and villages and provide the necessary facilities and infrastructure to assist in attracting people to live, work and invest in rural areas.”
Also speaking on the opening of the Fund, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, Jerry Buttimer added:
“This Call for Proposals represents an unrivalled opportunity for our rural areas. As Minister for Community Development, I have seen first-hand the importance of capital investment which supports projects focusing on the sustainable regeneration and development of our towns and villages. This investment encourages local participation and improves our rural communities.”
The Fund is seeking to support strategically important projects of significant scope and impact. In that regard, applications of scale are sought, with a minimum funding request of €500,000 and up to a maximum of €10 million.
Applications to the Fund must be the product of comprehensive deliberation and community engagement and led by a State-funded body, including Local Authorities, Local Development Companies and other State agencies, including non-commercial State bodies. Proposals under the Fund should demonstrate a collaborative approach between two or more organisations.
The closing date for the receipt of proposals is 12pm on 28 July 2026. More information on the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is available HERE.
Notes
Our Rural Future
Our Rural Future, the whole-of-government policy for sustainable rural development in Ireland, adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas and seeks to ensure that they are attractive places for people to live, work and raise a family.
Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. In total, the Fund has now provided over €614 million towards 273 projects located across Ireland.
Town Centre First
The Town Centre First policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. The policy supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing and development.