CLAR Funding 2025
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary TD has launched the 2025 CLÁR Scheme. CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. This funding assists in building the resilience of these rural communities. The CLÁR Funding Scheme is available to areas as defined in the Clár eligible area map:
CLÁR Programme for 2025
The 2025 CLÁR programme will be delivered through three separate Measures as follows:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responders and Meals on Wheels Transport
Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
Sligo County Council is inviting Community Groups, Schools, Sports Clubs & Local Development Companies to apply for funding under Measure 1 of the CLÁR 2025 Scheme. Measure 1 is administered by Sligo County Council on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Completed applications for Measure 2 & 3 applications are to be submitted directly to the Department of Rural & Community Development by the applicant to clar@drcd.gov.ie. Information and forms for Measure 2 & 3 are available on their website https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/91ba52-clar/
Eligible Applicants
- Community & voluntary groups
- Schools
- Local sporting organisations
- Local Development Companies
Provided that their facility is made freely available to all members of the community and clear arrangements are in place to insure and manage the facility. Facilities on school grounds must be open and freely accessible to the public outside school hours.
Funding available
- Grants between €5,000 and €65,000 per project
- Up to €100,000 available for two large-scale projects
Eligible projects (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Small scale renovation works to community facilities open to the wider community such as community centres/sports centres/clubhouses of sporting groups/youth centres/men’s sheds etc. 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 areas
- Community gyms/community cinemas
- 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
- 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
How to apply
Completed application forms for Measure 1 must be submitted in WORD format only to Sligo County Council by email, to clar2025@sligococo.ie
All application forms must be completed in full and all required documentation must be submitted with the application. Application forms and guidelines are available to download below:
The closing date for receipt of applications under Measure 1 is 4.00 p.m. on Friday 16th May 2025.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.