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CLÁR 2025

CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd Riachtanais) or Funding for Small-Scale Rural Projects is a targeted investment programme which provides funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered the greatest levels of population decline.

The Measures being funded under the 2025 CLÁR Programme are:

  • Measure 1 : Developing Community Facilities & Amenities

  • Measure 2 : Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport

  • Measure 3 : ‘Our Living Islands'

Applications for Measure 1 are administered by Local Authorities and groups from Co. Mayo can access the online application form below. Applications will open on Friday 11th April and the closing date for submission of Expressions of Interest is 3pm on Thursday 8th May. Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Applications for Measure 2 and Measure 3 should be made directly to the Department of Rural and Community Development using the following application forms: Measure 2 Application Form & Supporting Documentation and Measure 3 Application Form and Supporting Documentation. Application forms should be emailed to CLAR@drcd.gov.ie by 23rd May 2025 for Measure 2 applications and by 13th June 2025 for Measure 3 applications. Further information is available here.

Grant Funding and Rate of Aid:

A minimum grant of €5,000 and maximum grant of €65,000 will apply to Measure 1. To facilitate projects of a slightly greater scale, each local authority can submit 2 applications seeking grant funding of up to €100,000. 

This means that each local authority can submit the following:

•           13 applications seeking funding of between €5,000 and €65,000

•           2 applications seeking funding of between €5,000 and €100,000

•           1 additional application seeking funding of between €5,000 and €65,000

in respect of a Gaeltacht area located in their county.

The scheme will provide up to 90% of the cost. The remaining 10% or balance of the cost must be provided through local authority/community/other resources. Philanthropic contributions will be accepted as full or part of match funding costs. This match funding must be in place at the time of application. Please note that match funding cannot come from other DRCD Funding Schemes. 

Eligible Projects:

Measure 1 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 and therefore further build the resilience of rural communities. All community amenities funded under this programme must, in so far as practicable, be accessible to all abilities and ages. Applications under this Measure may include a number of different elements in respect of a single facility. 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 open to the wider community such as community centres/sports centres/clubhouses of sporting groups/youth centres/mens sheds etc 
  • Multi-Use Gaming Areas (MUGAs)/Astro-Turf facilities including upgrades
  • Playgrounds/Skateboard parks/Pump tracks/Cycling tracks
  • Walking/Running/Athletics tracks
  • Handball Alleys/Tennis Courts/Basketball Courts/Cricket Grounds
  • Community Gyms/Community Cinemas
  • Sensory Gardens/Community Gardens/Allotments
  • Access to unique local heritage sites/areas of natural beauty
  • Enhanced outdoor toilet and changing facilities
  • Car Parking
  • Improving access at sports grounds e.g. development/upgrade of spectator stands at local sports grounds with a particular focus on improving access for people of all abilities and ages
  • Solar Bins

Please see the Scheme Outline for a list of ineligible project types.

The Measure 1 Scheme Outline is available here and applicants should familiarise themselves with this and with the Terms & Conditions on the application form before completing an application.

Applicants will be required to enter Irish Transverse Mercator (ITM) co-ordinates for the proposed project. A simple guide to how to find a location's XY ITM co-ordinates is available here.

A map showing areas (EDs) of Co. Mayo that are eligible under the CLÁR scheme is available here and a list of eligible Electoral Divisions including ID numbers is available here. (You will be required to enter your Electoral Division ID number when completing the application form.)

Please contact the Community & Integrated Development section at community@mayococo.ie with any queries or call 094 9064660.

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