Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a commitment of €1 billion by government to be invested in rural Ireland over the period 2019 to 2027.

The purpose of the fund is to support job creation in rural areas, address de-population of rural communities and support improvements in our towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas.

Proposals are being invited from Local Authorities, and other locally/regionally based organisations, such as Local Development Companies, as well as government departments and State agencies. For the purpose of accountability and oversight, the lead partner of all projects must be a State funded body, but collaboration with the private sector is encouraged.

Applicants are required to submit:

• A completed Application Form
• A completed Approved Projects Status Review
• A completed Financial Analysis Template appropriate to scale of the project
• Additional information on remote working/training/enterprise hubs (where applicable)
• A completed Evaluation and Monitoring Plan
• A copy of the grant of planning permission
• Evidence of match funding
• All planning, consents and permissions must be in place by the closing date for applications. An application that does not have planning in place at this date will not be considered under this call.
• A maximum of three applications may be submitted by a Lead Party.
• The project cost may incorporate the cost of Per Cent for Art Funding where appropriate. The National Guidelines on Public Art: the Per Cent for Art Scheme 2004 provides further guidance.
• Lead parties are required to fully cost their proposals in the most accurate manner possible.
• Applications must be supported by a detailed cost estimate Prepared by a technical supervisor outlining the estimated costs of each element of the project.
• It is a requirement to complete and submit a financial analysis with the application.
• Projects estimated to cost over €10 million shall be exceptional and must be subject to an economic analysis and a full Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) should be completed. Where this is not possible, a Cost Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) or Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) may be used. Where a CBA is not feasible, the Reasons why and the appropriateness of using another form of appraisal should be set out by the applicant.

• Is the project ready to commence? - Pass/Fail
• Track record in delivery& delivery capacity - 17.5%
• Policy coherence and objectives of the proposed project - 17.5%
• Potential impact of the proposed project - 10%
• Regenerative potential - 10%
• Financial sustainability - 10%
• Overall quality of budgetary proposal and Value for Money - 10%
• Project Planning - 10%
• Additionality - 5%
• Climate action - 5%
• Collaboration - 5%

For further information check gov.ie - Rural Regeneration and Development Fund or contact your local authority.