The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced the launch of the 2022 CLÁR programme.
CLÁR provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of population decline.
Community Groups are encouraged to consider applying for funding for projects such as the provision of Youth Hubs, Multi-Use Gaming Areas (MUGAs), Skateboard Parks, Playgrounds, Handball Alleys, Community Cinemas and Gyms and much more
Minister Humphreys has increased funding for the 2022 CLÁR programme by over 25% this year, in recognition of the importance of the programme to some of our most remote rural areas.
Announcing the details of the programme today, Minister Humphreys said, “I am delighted to announce the launch of the 2022 CLÁR Programme. The priority of this year’s scheme is the development of facilities and amenities which will enhance our rural communities. As part of Our Rural Future, I want to ensure in particular that young people living in rural areas have access to amenities that they can enjoy with their friends be it youth hubs, walking tracks, basketball courts or skateboard parks. CLÁR provides small grants which can make a big difference and I am encouraging local community groups, youth clubs, men and women sheds and sports clubs to apply via their Local Authority if they have an idea for a project which could make a difference in their area.”
The CLÁR programme (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation in the past. The programme was originally launched in October 2001 but was closed for applications in 2010. The scheme was re-opened in 2016 to support the development of remote rural areas through small-scale capital projects involving collaboration between Local Authorities and communities, as well as for other community-based organisations. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has provided funding of over €45 million for over 1,700 projects under a range of different Measures.
Areas targeted under the CLÁR Programme are parts of counties: Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, and Waterford, Westmeath, Wicklow and all of County Leitrim.