The 2026 programme will be delivered through 3 separate Measures as follows:
- 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 will support a variety of capital projects provided that they contribute to the enhancement of existing, and/or the development of new, accessible Community Recreation Facilities. The list below provides an indication of the types of projects that may be supported, but is not exhaustive:
- 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. This includes external works such as parking and accessibility enhancements
- Multi-use gaming areas (MUGAs)/Astro-turf facilities including upgrades (see information box in respect of astro turf surfaces below)
- Playgrounds/skateboard parks/pump tracks/cycling tracks/teenage spaces
- Walking/running /athletics tracks
- Handball alleys/tennis courts/basketball courts/cricket grounds/ outdoor bowling areas
- Community gyms/community cinemas
- Sensory gardens/Community gardens/ allotments/ biodiversity planting
- Access to unique local heritage sites / areas of natural beauty, Enhanced outdoor toilet and changing facilities, Car parking
- Community focussed traffic safety measures
- 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
- Toilets/showers in community facilities but not sports team changing rooms or showers.
- Emergency Generators. These must be mobile to allow for shared community use. There must be confirmation that the facilities that will use the generator have changeover switches in place and the cost of installing these switches in these facilities can be included as part of the generator project application
- Actions to remediate light pollution (terrestrial and marine) through restorative lighting strategies to protect and/or retore Ireland’s dark skies
- Solar Bins
For proposed development or enhancement works on Astro pitches or surfaces
We would like to draw your attention to EU regulations relating to the sale of certain synthetic polymer microparticles that are often used for granular infill for use on synthetic (Astro) sports surfaces. A ban is to take effect in 2031 that limits the materials used to refill Astro surfaces. For applicants considering submitting an application under the 2026 CLÁR programme for the development of, or works on, any type of Astro surface, they should in the first instance discuss these regulations with their contractor or surface supplier to ensure that their development is fully compliant with relevant legislation and is future proofed so as to ensure best value for money and longevity of the surface for users.
Note: Applications for Measures 2 and 3 must be made directly to the Dept. of Rural and Community Development. Please see gov.ie - CLÁR-Funding for Small-Scale Rural Projects (www.gov.ie) for further information.
Any facilities funded must be available to the public without a requirement to be a member of a club, enrolled in a school etc. In particular facilities on school grounds must be open to the public outside of school hours e.g., during the evenings, weekends, and school holidays.
