CLÁR Funding 2024 Project Application for Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities
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.
Rate of Aid
A minimum grant of €5,000 and maximum grant of €50,000 will apply to this measure. 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.
Please note that match funding cannot come from other DRCD 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.
All community amenities funded under this programme must, in so far as practicable, be accessible to all abilities and ages. The list below provides an indication of the types of projects that may be supported, but is not exhaustive:
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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.
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Multi-Use Gaming Areas (MUGAs)/Astro-Turf facilities including upgrade
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Playgrounds/Skateboard parks/Pump tracks/Cycling tracks
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Walking/Running /Athletics tracks
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Handball Alleys/Tennis Courts/Basketball Courts/Cricket Grounds
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Community Gyms/Community Cinemas
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Sensory Gardens/Community Gardens/ Allotments
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Access to unique local heritage sites / areas of natural beauty
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Outdoor Bowling Areas/Outdoor Toilet Facilities/Car Parking
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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
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Solar Bins
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Biodiversity planting
The application form must clearly outline the need and rationale for the projects put forward.
Ineligible Projects
In the current 2024 scheme, the following projects will not be funded:
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School/Community Safety Measures* ·
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Footpaths*
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Road markings
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Pedestrian crossings
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Bus shelters
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Works to current school buildings which are not open to the public after school hours ·
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CCTV
*Funding for safety works at schools and the provision of footpaths etc. is available under both the Safe Routes to School Programme/the Active Travel Programme operated by the Department of Transport/TII
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Funding Conditions for Rural Schemes funded under the Department of Rural and Community Development.
All expenditure registered through the Department’s Rural Schemes i.e. Town and Village Renewal Scheme, CLÁR, Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) will be subject to the terms of the Public Spending Code
In addition to this, the requirements outlined below will apply to all funding approved through those schemes. The need for adherence to all of the requirements will be reflected in the contractual agreement between the Department of Rural and Community Development and the grantee approved for funding under the scheme.
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Projects are expected to commence and be completed in line with the timelines set out in the relevant Scheme Outline.
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The Department may de-commit funding allocated to projects under the Scheme where the project is not completed within the time specified, and where the express agreement of the Department to extend the funding arrangement has not been agreed in advance.
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The grant funding for the approved project will be provided from the Department of Rural and Community Development’s capital budget. Administration and/or professional costs associated with the proposed project, where allowed for in the Scheme Outline, should be kept to a minimum. These costs must be clearly documented in the application.
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A cash contribution as set out in the relevant Scheme Outline is required. The grantee will be required to confirm that the cash contribution is in place at time of application and retain a record of the source of the cash contribution. The Department may request evidence of same during the assessment process.
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Projects must be completed in full in order to drawdown the full grant amount. Where it is established that a project has not been completed, the Department may request the grantee to repay any funding received on the project. Any changes to the proposed project must be advised and agreed with the Department in advance of the change being implemented.
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Where an element of the approved project is not carried out as per the project application, grant funding may be reduced to reflect the amended project.
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If the project involves works on buildings or lands that are not in the ownership of the grantee, a minimum 15 year lease must be in place unless otherwise agreed with the Department.
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In the case of funding allocated to enterprises or facilities (i.e. community centre, hubs, vehicles under CLÁR etc.), it is a requirement that they must operate as funded for a minimum of 5 years following release of the final stage of funding, otherwise funding may have to be repaid. Where they do not operate as funded this must be advised and agreed with the Department in advance.
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All appropriate financial, Public Procurement and accounting rules and regulations must be complied with and each grantee will fully account for the funding received in a timely manner.
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Full and accurate documentation to support all expenditure should be maintained and accessible by Department officials for audit purposes at all times and for a period of six years from the date of completion of the project.
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Grantees will acknowledge the support of Project 2040 / Department of Rural and Community Development/ Government of Ireland, and any other applicable sources of funding (as identified in the relevant Funding Agreement) in all public announcements, advertising and signage, as appropriate, relating to the project. In addition, the Department may seek to use the project in the broader promotion of its policies.
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Signage must be in place at all CLÁR funded projects. These signs must be in a prominent location, of durable quality, acknowledge the CLÁR funding and be of sufficient size to be clearly visible to the public. These signs must follow the Department's Branding Guidelines.
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Grantees will provide any reports and information relating to the project as may reasonably be requested by the Department of Rural and Community Development from time to time.
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On-going monitoring and evaluation of the project outputs and outcomes should take place in the context of assessing the impact of the project. Grantees will be expected to collect appropriate data to facilitate this learning on an on-going basis. On request, a brief report (1-2 pages) on the outputs and outcomes of the project funded should be completed and made available to the Department.
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Each grantee, will provide a contact point/points to the Department to facilitate payment and information requests. The Department should be updated on any changes to contact personnel in a timely manner.
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A checklist confirming compliance with funding conditions relating to the grant aid will be required upon project completion.
Non-Compliance with the conditions as outlined or any additional stipulations agreed during contract negotiations may result in the requirement to refund part or all of the grant aid awarded.
Please see Measure 1 scheme outline for further details. For details on all Clár measures please click here
ALL APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED TO MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL ONLINE:
by 3pm Wednesday 15th May 2024
CLOSING DATE WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO
If you have any queries, please email the Community Section at community@mayococo.ie or call 094 – 906 4660
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