Community gardens, playgrounds, outdoor games areas, and pavilion-style structures in rural areas of County Galway stand to avail of funding from the €5.5 million CLÁR programme.
The scheme supports small-scale infrastructure projects in areas that have suffered significant levels of population decline.
According to Fine Gael Galway West TD and Minister of State, Hildegarde Naughton, funding for the 2021 programme has been increased by 10 per cent, and will focus on support for schools, community safety measures, outdoor recreation facilities, and community wellbeing measures.
Emphasis on outdoor recreation facilities
The community wellbeing category will include the development of community gardens and allotments, as well as mobility and cancer care transport.
With Covid-19, an emphasis will be placed on outdoor recreation facilities, including seating areas, pavilions, playgrounds and multi-use games areas. A special ‘innovation measure’ category will support new ideas rural isolation, population change, social disadvantage and marginalisation.
Minister Naughton is urging community organisations to prepare applications for the CLÁR scheme. “It’s a great opportunity to tap into the innovation and creativity of local communities in a way that will make an appreciable difference to people’s lives,” she said.
The closing date for applications under the new CLÁR scheme is May 7.
