Large scale rural regeneration fund opens with grants of up to €10m
Applications invited for shovel ready projects as over €614m already allocated to 273 schemes nationwide
28 February 2026 | 📧 editor@ipropertyradio.com
Applications have opened for a new round of funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), targeting large scale capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary confirmed that the Category 1 call is now live for strategically important projects that have secured full planning permission and all other necessary consents, and are ready to commence.
The fund, which operates under Project Ireland 2040, is seeking proposals of scale, with a minimum funding request of €500,000 and a maximum of €10 million per project.
To date, more than €614 million has been allocated to 273 projects nationally under the RRDF. The scheme is positioned as a central delivery mechanism for the Government’s Our Rural Future strategy and the Town Centre First policy.
The current call is focused on capital projects capable of revitalising rural settlements by delivering enabling infrastructure and community facilities aimed at supporting population growth, enterprise and investment.
Projects must be led by a State funded body, including local authorities, local development companies or other State agencies, including non commercial State bodies. Applications must demonstrate collaboration between two or more organisations and be grounded in comprehensive local deliberation and community engagement.
Announcing the call, Minister Calleary said the fund has delivered visible change in towns and villages across the country, citing projects such as the Shackleton Experience in Athy, Co Kildare, as examples of regeneration linked to tourism and local economic activity.
Minister of State for Community Development Jerry Buttimer said capital investment of this scale plays a key role in tackling vacancy and dereliction while supporting sustainable regeneration.
The RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in rural Ireland. The Town Centre First policy, which the fund supports, is a cross Government initiative aimed at addressing vacancy and breathing new life into town centres.
The closing date for receipt of proposals under this Category 1 call is 12pm on 28 July 2026.
