Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has opened a Category 1 call for proposals under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) on Friday, 27 February 2026.

Backed by Project Ireland 2040 and aligned with the Our Rural Future strategy and the Town Centre First policy, the call targets strategic, large-scale capital projects that are ready to start, with full planning and other consents in place. The objective is to help revitalise rural towns and villages by providing facilities and infrastructure that attract people to live, work and invest in rural areas.

Applications of scale are sought, with a minimum funding request of €500,000 and up to a maximum of €10 million. To date, the RRDF has provided over €614 million to 273 projects nationwide.

Speaking today, Minister Calleary said: "I am delighted to announce the opening of this Call for Proposals and invite Category 1 applications under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

He added: "RRDF is the flagship funding scheme in my Department and, since becoming Minister a little over 12 months ago, I have seen evidence of why it is so important. RRDF investment in projects, such as the Shackleton Experience in Athy, Co. Kildare, have transformed towns and villages, created new tourist attractions and developed thriving hubs where communities meet.

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He said: "With over €614 million in funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund since it was first launched, the impact is clear, it has been transformative for our rural communities."

The Minister continued: "The capacity of the Fund to deliver projects of this scale and ambition represents an unprecedented opportunity for rural areas.

He said: "I welcome co-ordinated, collaborative and integrated projects that will directly deliver on the objectives of Our Rural Future, the whole-of-government policy for sustainable rural development in Ireland. In particular, I am inviting proposals for projects that will help revitalise our rural towns and villages and provide the necessary facilities and infrastructure to assist in attracting people to live, work and invest in rural areas."

Eligible applications must be led by a State-funded body, such as Local Authorities, Local Development Companies or other State agencies, including non-commercial State bodies. Proposals should be the result of robust planning and community engagement, and demonstrate collaboration between at least two organisations.

Also speaking on the launch, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, Jerry Buttimer, added: "This Call for Proposals represents an unrivalled opportunity for our rural areas. As Minister for Community Development, I have seen first-hand the importance of capital investment which supports projects focusing on the sustainable regeneration and development of our towns and villages. This investment encourages local participation and improves our rural communities."

The closing date for submissions is 12pm on 28 July 2026. Further information on the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is available on gov.ie.