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 the five city metropolitan areas (based on the 2022 census).

Funding is awarded through a competitive bid process. Since the launch of the RRDF funding of €584 million has been allocated to 243 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. A limited number of specified towns with a population of 10,000 or fewer will be eligible for support under the Urban Regeneration Fund which is being operated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; however, funding will only be provided under one fund for any particular project.

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

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@drcd.gov.ie