CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. 

2026 CLÁR Scheme is now open – Closing date to submit Expression of Interest form to ruralregeneration@meathcoco.ie is 1st of May 2026.

Applications are eligible from community or voluntary organisations, school or local Development companies and must be in the CLÁR area. 

Please find a map below which identifies the CLÁR areas in Meath which are within the scope of the scheme.

Full details on the 2026 CLÁR Scheme are available here: https://www.meath.ie/council/council-services/rural-regeneration/rural-development-grants/2026-clar-scheme

CLÁR will support a variety of capital projects provided that they contribute to the enhancement of existing, and/or the development of new, accessible Community Recreation Facilities.  The list below provides an indication of the types of projects that may be supported, but is not exhaustive:

• Small scale renovation works to community facilities such as community centres /sports centres /clubhouses of sporting groups /youth centres /men’s sheds. This includes external works such as parking and accessibility enhancements.
• Multi-Use Gaming Areas (MUGAs) /Astro-Turf facilities including upgrades
• Playgrounds/Skateboard parks /Pump tracks /Cycling tracks /Teenage spaces/walking -running Athletics tracks/ Handball Alleys /Tennis Courts /Basketball Courts /Cricket Grounds/outdoor bowling area/ Community Gyms /Community Cinema /Sensory Gardens /Community Gardens /Allotments/ Biodiversity planting
• Access to unique local heritage sites /areas of natural beauty
• Enhanced outdoor toilet and changing Facilities /Car Parking /Solar Bins/
• Community focused traffic safety measures
• Improving access at sports grounds e.g. development /upgrade of spectator stands at sports grounds
• Toilets/showers in community facilities but not sports team changing rooms or showers.
• Emergency generators. These must be mobile to allow for shared community use.
• Actions to remediate light pollution (terrestrial and marine) through restorative lighting strategies to protect and or restore Irelands dark skies.

Any facilities funded must be available to the public without a requirement to be a member of a club, enrolled in a school etc. In particular facilities on school grounds must be open to the public outside of school hours e.g., during the evenings, weekends, and school holidays.

The scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Gaeltacht. 

A minimum grant of €5,000 and a maximum of €65,000 per project at a rate of 90% funding and 10% match funding provided through local authority/community/other recourses

Full details on the 2026 CLÁR Scheme are available here: https://www.meath.ie/council/council-services/rural-regeneration/rural-development-grants/2026-clar-scheme