Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2025

Introduction

The 2025 Town and Village Renewal Scheme will support projects throughout Ireland with a focus on stimulating town centre economic and social regeneration through sustainable employment creation.

Projects will align with the objectives of the government policies Our Rural Future, Town Centre First and Our Living Islands with a focus on:

• driving town centre regeneration;
• supporting town or village centre plaza development;
• development of green spaces or recreational amenities in town or village centres;
• the enhancement of our streetscapes;
• supporting town or village centre markets;
• upgrading or refurbishing community centres;
• bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use as multi-purpose community spaces;
• supporting vibrant and sustainable Gaeltacht communities and island communities on Ireland’s inhabited offshore islands

Expressions of Interest

Cork County Council is now seeking Expressions of Interest for the following:

1. Main Scheme

Grant funding for projects will range from €50,000 - €500,000. 

Types of activities that may be supported under the Main Scheme of the 2025 Town and Village Renewal Scheme include:

• regeneration projects that assist in revitalising and building resilience in our rural towns and villages, in line with the Town Centre First Policy, through planned and sustainable regeneration
• development projects that will drive greater economic activity and footfall, address vacancy and dereliction and ensure the re-use of heritage and other existing buildings
• projects to support vibrant and sustainable Gaeltacht communities and/or island communities on Ireland’s inhabited offshore islands
• upgrade or refurbishment to community centres (where there is a clearly identified need / rationale – an additional questionnaire applies)
• support for the development of remote working facilities. Given the number of hubs supported to date, any application received which includes the establishment of a hub (see Appendix 2 for hub classification guide) must expressly demonstrate a clear demand/need for such a facility and that clear additionality will be delivered - any such applications will be required to provide information in relation to need/demand/additionality and engagement with relevant stakeholders
• projects to support the establishment or regeneration of town or village centre markets (for example: farmers’ markets, open-air markets, local trader markets, artisan markets or similar) – that is, ground works, provision of stalls, equipment, and services provision. Markets must be built on ethical and sustainability principles to ensure longevity and must be developed with high visibility and improved public realm which will attract a high level of footfall
• projects to develop town / village centre plazas, public outdoor dining spaces, parks, green spaces (including allotments and community gardens) and recreational spaces/amenities (to include outdoor sports facilities such as skate parks, basketball courts, tennis courts, etc.) in town centres to make them vibrant hubs for community enjoyment, and to increase footfall for local businesses. Where a proposal includes a plaza, outdoor dining space, amphitheatre or similar, consideration should be given to appropriate public lighting which supports mobility, accessibility, safety and security to ensure the spaces can be used for evening and night time activities. Applications for funding will only be considered where the properties and/or lands are publicly or community owned or leased
• projects to support the upgrade and enhancement of shopfronts and street facades (including murals) in towns and villages. Local authorities are encouraged to engage with local business and property owners to examine how group projects can add colour and vibrancy to main streets
• projects that bring vacant and derelict buildings and sites back into use as multi-purpose spaces. This includes the renovation of vacant and derelict buildings or development of sites within the town or village as multi-purpose community assets. Multi-purpose use includes enterprise spaces, arts, tourism, youth hubs, parks, parklets, allotments, play areas and other community uses
• projects that support and enhance the night-time economy in line with recommendations from the Night-Time Economy Taskforce
• enhancement of heritage assets (for example, local museums/tourism attractions focused on historical aspects of the area, heritage sites/buildings) located in towns and villages, including energy efficiency measures

2. Project Development Measure

• The Project Development Measure (PDM) will provide up to €50,000 per project.
• The purpose of the PDM is to assist local authorities to establish a pipeline of significant, well developed projects which could subsequently be quickly and efficiently progressed to construction stage, subject to the availability of further funding.
• Funding will be awarded for the pre-development costs associated with projects to help communities develop applications for future funding calls.

The closing date for completed Expression of Interest forms is 5.00pm, Wednesday 14th May 2025, and can be emailed to [email protected] or posted to Town Regeneration Office, Cork County Council, Floor 11, County Hall, Cork, T12R2NC.

Expressions of Interest can only be accepted on the prescribed Expression of Interest Form.

Expressions of Interest received after the closing date and time will not be accepted.