New funding to transform towns
A new funding scheme has been recently announced which aims to re-imagine town centres and to transform publicly owned vacant or derelict heritage buildings.
Called THRIVE, the scheme is providing €120 million to support local authorities and their citizens to bring a new lease of life to these buildings through renovation, renewal and adaptive reuse.
THRIVE, the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme, was launched by Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Kieran O’Donnell TD. The scheme has been co-designed by the Southern Regional Assembly and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address European, national and regional policy objectives.
THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union and managed by the Southern Regional Assembly.
Cathaoirleach of the Southern Regional Assembly, Cllr Terry Shannon said: “THRIVE has the potential to transform our town centres by adapting and reusing vacant and derelict heritage buildings and allowing us to create beautiful, sustainable and inclusive spaces to improve the quality of life of our citizens.
“THRIVE provides the opportunity to rejuvenate our heritage buildings to meet the modern and innovative requirements of our communities today,” the Cork city councillor said.
THRIVE will provide local authorities with funding of between €2m and €7m to renovate, refurbish and adapt vacant and derelict heritage buildings in their town centres. Heritage buildings under the scheme are classified as structures that form part of the architectural heritage and have unique architectural, historical, archaeological or artistic qualities, or are linked to the cultural and economic history of a place.
Projects are required to adopt the core values of the New European Bauhaus – sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion. The scheme promotes a citizen-centred community-led approach to planning, design and project selection under the Town Centre First framework. Grants of between €40,000 and €200,000 are available to support local authorities with the planning and design phase.
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell said: “I welcome the launch of the new €120m THRIVE Scheme under the ERDF Regional Programmes.
“This is an exciting scheme that will breathe new life into towns and urban centres across Ireland, so that they can function as the sustainable and vibrant heart of the communities they serve.”
He added: “At the heart of this is the Town Centre First approach. This ensures that local authorities engage with their citizens to develop plans, select suitable projects, and identify sustainable and viable end uses for underutilised heritage buildings. I look forward to seeing the transformative impact in these centres and the benefits this will have in driving regeneration in the years ahead.”
THRIVE is targeted at larger urban settlements and is designed to complement other national funds targeting smaller urban settlements. Those behind the funding said it is a competitive funding call and with 100% grant aid available and is expected to be highly competitive.
The first call for projects is now open and published on southernassembly.ie.