The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary TD has launched the 2025 CLÁR Scheme. 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. This funding assists in building the resilience of these rural communities.
CLÁR Programme for 2025
The 2025 CLÁR programme will be delivered through three separate Measures as follows:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responders and Meals on Wheels Transport
Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
Monaghan County Council is inviting Community Groups, Schools, Sports Clubs & Local Development Companies to apply for funding under Measure 1 of the CLÁR 2025 Scheme. Measure 1 will support a variety of capital projects provided they contribute to the enhancement of existing, and/or the development of new, accessible Community Recreation Facilities and will be administered by Monaghan County Council.
Closing date for receipt of applications to Monaghan County Council is 4.00 p.m. Friday 9th May 2025.
Completed applications for Measure 2 & 3 applications are to be submitted directly to the Department of Rural & Community Development by the applicant to clar@drcd.gov.ie. Information and forms for Measure 2 & 3 are available on their website https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/91ba52-clar/
Who is Eligible
- Community & voluntary groups
- Schools
- Local sporting organisations
- Local Development Companies
Provided that their facility is made freely available to all members of the community. Facilities on school grounds must be open and freely accessible to the public outside school hours.
Funding available
- Grants up to €65,000 per project
- Up to €100,000 available for two large-scale projects
What kind of projects are eligible (this is not an exhaustive list):
- 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
- Multi-Use Gaming Areas (MUGAs)/Astro-Turf facilities including upgrades
- Playgrounds/Skateboard parks/Pump tracks/Cycling tracks
- Walking/Running /Athletics tracks
- Handball Alleys/Tennis Courts/Basketball Courts/Cricket Grounds
- Community Gyms/Community Cinemas
- Sensory Gardens/Community Gardens/ Allotments
- Access to unique local heritage sites / areas of natural beauty
- Outdoor Bowling Areas/Outdoor Toilet Facilities/Car Parking
- 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
- Solar Bins
- Biodiversity planting
How to apply
Please contact Aisling Kierans, Community Development Section or your local Municipal District Office to discuss potential projects for submission to this scheme as early as possible:
- Aisling Kierans, Community Development – 047 73707
- Ballybay/Clones Municipal District Office – 047 51018
- Carrickmacross/Castleblayney Municipal District Office – 042 9661236
- Monaghan Municipal District Office – 047 73777
Completed Expressions of Interest for Measure 1 must be submitted in WORD format directly to Monaghan County Council by email, to clar@monaghancoco.ie
Application forms and guidelines are available below :
Clár 2025 Measure 1 – Expression of Interest Application Form (DOC)
Clár 2025 Measure 1 Scheme Outline (PDF)
Closing date for receipt of applications to Monaghan County Council is 4.00 p.m. Friday 9th May 2025.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
