Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a key capital investment scheme which directly supports the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy.

The RRDF supports projects that have the potential to revitalise rural towns and villages in line with the Town Centre First Policy through planned and sustainable regeneration that will drive greater economic activity and footfall, address vacancy and dereliction and ensure the reuse of heritage and other existing buildings and provide the necessary facilities and infrastructure in settlements, which will assist in attracting people to live, work and invest in rural areas.

Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.

The RRDF is targeted at settlements and rural areas with fewer than 10,000 people which are located outside city boundaries and the Dublin metropolitan area (based on the 2022 census).

Funding is awarded through a competitive bid process. Since the launch of the RRDF funding of €614 million for 273 projects. A list of the successful projects under each call to date is available here.

The fund supports coordinated and integrated projects between government departments, State agencies, local authorities, other public bodies, communities and, where appropriate, philanthropic funders and/or the private sector, which will have an impact on sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund can fund projects including (but not limited to):

• Projects which will provide for increased economic activity, sustainable long term employment opportunities and which make a clear contribution to the economic development of a rural area, town or village.
• Measures to address building vacancy and dereliction in order to encourage town centre regeneration, including building refurbishment, redevelopment and/or demolition;
• Projects which encourage the co-location of facilities to create a focal point of activity in a town or village centre e.g. clustering library services, community services, cultural activities, sport and recreational facilities, training and development, civic facilities etc. in a landmark or prominent location which can help to drive greater footfall and support business.
• Large-scale infrastructure and public realm projects in our towns and villages that aim to fundamentally contribute to the strategic development of the town or village.
• Projects which assist in the economic development of island communities, particularly in terms of enhancing the economic vibrancy of settlements or enhancing linkages with the mainland.
• Projects which deliver on multiple objectives and demonstrate complementarity / additionality are particularly welcome, for example, delivering a town centre regeneration project which also contributes to economic, tourism, community or cultural development.

Funding is awarded through a competitive bid process.

Proposals are invited from Local Authorities, and other locally/regionally based organisations, such as Local Development Companies, as well as government departments and State agencies. For the purpose of accountability and oversight, the lead partner of all projects must be a State funded body, but collaboration with the private sector is encouraged.

Proposals may be made in respect of towns with populations of 10,000 or fewer and their outlying areas. Our city and metropolitan areas and rural towns with a population of over 10,000 people will be eligible to apply for funding under calls for the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), which is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Subject to the provisions of future Calls for proposals under the URDF, it is anticipated that a number of specified towns with fewer than 10,000 people, which function as significant centres of employment will also be eligible for support under that Fund. However, no individual project will be able to avail of both the Urban and Rural Funds. It is anticipated that details in respect of the URDF will be confirmed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the coming weeks.

A list of the funded projects to date is available here.

The Sixth Call for Category 1 applications is now open.

On the 27th February 2026, the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, announced a Sixth Call for Proposals for Category 1 projects under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).

This Category 1 call will provide funding for large scale strategic projects that are ready to commence. Category 1 projects which are deemed ready to commence are those that have the necessary consents in place (e.g. land ownership, planning/Part 8, environmental, wildlife, archaeological, marine etc.), are at a well progressed stage of design, and which can satisfy the requirements of the Public Spending Code.

The deadline for submission of applications is 12pm on Tuesday, 28th July 2026.

Links to docs

Sixth Call Category 1 Scheme Outline

Application Form

Approved Project Status Review

Evaluation and Monitoring Plan

Additional Information for Hub Projects

Information on funding allocated to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund can be found here:Funding allocated to schemes and programmes

To keep up to date with any news regarding the RRDF, including the announcement of future calls for applications, subscribe to our mailing list here: rrdf@drcdg.gov.ie