Funding

The EU must not neglect rural areas and policymakers must put Community Led Local Development (CLLD) at the heart of the continent's long-term rural development policy. That's the message coming from Local Development Companies and supporters of LEADER countrywide as the deadline looms to sign a petition (which takes 1 minute) demanding that CLLD be made central to Europe's long term rural development policy.

€7 million in funding is to be provided to community groups under the Department of Rural and Community Development Local Enhancement Programme 2025.

An additional €3 million funding has been allocated to support community services organisations from January 2025 under the Community Services Programme (CSP).

Irish social finance organisation Clann Credo has provided over €215 million in finance to community and voluntary groups, sports clubs, climate action initiatives, social enterprises as well as social housing in Ireland since 1996.

More than €1 million in funding has been announced today for the development and improvement of 517 walking trails around the country. 

More than €2.1 million has been allocated to provide 48 vehicles for a number of services including cancer care, transport for people with mobility issues, and to deliver meals on wheels to the elderly and other vulnerable people.

A funding boost of €2.6 million has been announced by the Department of Rural and Community Development to support a wide range of Town Centre First projects across Ireland.

The closing date for applications to the Community Centre Investment Fund has been extended to 3pm this Thursday, September 5