Get funding to renew your town or village

By Daniel O’Neill

Funding to help renew villages and towns near Cork city could be available once these communities demonstrate an interest in the initiative.

Cork City Council has announced a funding call for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) seeking expressions of interest from communities in Glanmire, Upper Glanmire, Killeens, Blarney, Kerrypike and Tower.

Funded by the Department of Rural & Community Development, the scheme is a key part of Project Ireland 2040 which aims to support vibrant and sustainable communities nationwide. Since its initial launch, over €177 million has been granted to almost 1,800 projects including some that develop green spaces, enhance streetscapes and support village markets like farmer’s markets.

The 2025 TVRS aims to support rural Ireland through a focus on improving economic and social interactions in the local community. The scheme also aims to upgrade and refurbish community centres, put vacant buildings back into use and support village centre plaza development.

Niall Ó Donnabháin, Director of Planning and Integrated Development at Cork City Council said: “The TVRS is a hugely important scheme and should make a notable impact on towns and villages. Communities should engage and bring forward their ambitions for impactful projects in their local areas.”

The Project Development Measure (PDM) will provide up to €50,000 per project.

Applications for the scheme must be submitted by 25 July. To apply, you must submit an expression of interest form to donal_guerin@corkcity.ie by 5pm on Friday 2 May. The expression of interest form and further details of the scheme can be obtained by emailing donal_guerin@corkcity.ie or by phoning 021-2389856 for further information.