On the 10th March 2026, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht announced details of the CLÁR programme for 2026. CLÁR provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered significant levels of population decline.  In 2026 there is a national allocation of €12 million funding for community, sports and Island facilities under three measures to be operated via Local Authorities and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

 The Measures being funded under the 2026 CLÁR Programme are:

Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities

Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport

Measure 3: ‘Our Living Islands’

Measure 1 Applications are administered by the Local Authority and these grants support the development of community and sports facilities, youth clubs, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks and much more. Applications are submitted directly to Roscommon County Council for review from which up to 14 applications can be selected for submission to the Department to be considered for funding.

• Under Measure 1 Roscommon County Council may select the following from all eligible applications received:
  • 12 applications seeking funding of between €5,000 and €65,000
  • 2 applications seeking funding of between €5,000 and €100,000
• Grant funding is at a rate of 90% of total project costs.
• You must be in a CLÁR Area for your application to be considered. Please see map and list of DED place-names and numbers attached below which you must reference in your application.
• The deadline for receipt of Measure 1 applications to the Local Authority is 5pm on Thursday, 29th May 2026. *Please note this is in advance of the department deadline for receipt of submissions to allow for review and shortlisting.
• Appropriate supporting documentation will be required.
• Applications must be saved as a Microsoft Word format and submitted by email only to CLAR@roscommoncoco.ie Please put “CLÁR Application" and the "name of the facility" applying in the email subject line.
• Roscommon County Council will hold an information webinar for interested/potential applicants on Tuesday the 14th of April at 7pm. Register now at 2026 CLÁR Fund - Information Webinar

Applications for Measures 2 and 3 are not administered by the local authority but are being accepted directly by the Department via email to CLAR@drcdg.gov.ie

The deadlines and guidelines on maximum grant funding for these applications is available at: gov.ie - CLÁR-Funding for Small-Scale Rural Projects

Application Forms and Scheme Details for all 3 Measures are also available to download below

Late submissions will not be considered.

Mark Keaveney

Director of Economic, Planning and Physical Development

Roscommon County Council