Our Rural Future: Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2022

The 2022 Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme emphasises the opportunities for recreational amenities located near rivers, lakes and beaches and also seeks to support recreational infrastructure that provides an inclusive approach for communities to deliver outlets that support a diverse range of users, including people with disabilities and older adults. The 2022 scheme will, in particular, prioritise projects which have evidence of strong community engagement. Overall funding of €15 million has been announced for this year’s scheme which includes a contribution from our partners in Fáilte Ireland.

The scheme supports sporting and recreational pursuits. It helps to make use of the resources of the countryside that contribute to healthy active lifestyles. It supports the economic and tourism potential of the area for both local communities and tourist visitors alike.

It provides funding for:

development, extensions and repair of trails, walkways, cycleways and blueways
improved access to outdoor leisure or recreational facilities
development of outdoor recreational infrastructure

Projects applications will be accepted from Local Authorities (All Measures), Local Development Companies (Measure 1) and/or State Bodies (Measure 3/Project Development Measure) under the scheme:

Measure 1 for small scale projects requiring funding of up to €30,000,
Measure 2 for medium scale projects with funding of up to €200,000,
Measure 3 for large scale projects seeking funding of up to €500,000, and
Project Development Measure funding of up to €50,000 for development costs for strategic large scale projects.

For more details see Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme