Meath County Council

Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2018

 The Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2018 has recently been launched by Minister for Rural & Community Development, Michael Ring TD.  For 2018, there will be €15 million in funding for rural towns and villages for projects.

The scheme is specifically targeted at rural towns and villages of two category populations, Category 1 is towns/villages of population of 5,000 or less and Category 2 is towns with a population 5,001 to 10,000 based on the 2016 Census figures.  The primary focus of the 2018 scheme will be on town/villages with population of 5,000 or less and these towns/village will receive at least 60% of the funding available.

Applications for funding from towns/villages can range from €20,000 to a maximum of €100,000.  Funding of up to €200,000 will also be considered for a limited number of projects which can deliver exceptionally strong economic benefits to a town and its outlying areas.

Projects receiving Higher Priority by the Department of Rural & Community Development include (not exhaustive list):

• Projects that support entrepreneurship
• Integrated approaches to developing individual sectors (e.g., artisan food hubs, craft hubs)
• Projects demonstrating collaboration between town centre businesses and surrounding area to produce economic benefit
• Tourism initiatives
• Enhancement of heritage and/or other community assets
• Conducting/commissioning of town/village health check

The following projects will be considered at a lower priority:

• Enhancement of streetscape and town environment e.g., construction/refurbishment of footpaths
• Shop front enhancement
• Branding and promotion of town/village
• Car parking improvements

Meath County Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from town/village groups who may have a suitable project for consideration under the scheme.  All expressions of interest will be assessed after the closing date and a maximum of 12 proposals will be selected for development into detailed applications which will be submitted to the Department of Rural & Community Development.

Further details of the Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2018 and the Expression of Interest application form can be found at www.meath.ie/community/communitygrants/townandvillagerenewal2018.

All interested town/village groups should complete the Expression of Interest form and return to the Community Section, Meath County Council, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co. Meath C15Y291 or emailed to community@meathcoco.ie no later than 4pm on Friday 25^th May 2018.