Applications for outdoor recreation grants in Leitrim now open

Leitrim County Council is inviting expressions of interest from community groups under this year's Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).

The focus of the scheme will be to support outdoor recreational infrastructure in countryside areas nationwide, particularly amenities located near rivers, lakes and beaches.

The 2023 scheme also aims to support an inclusive approach for communities to deliver outlets supporting a diverse range of users, such as people with disabilities and older adults.

It is funded under ‘Our Rural Future’, which specifically prioritises the growing outdoor activity tourism sector as part of a long-term vision for a vibrant and sustainable rural Ireland.

Applications are now invited under Measures One, Two and Three, with maximum grant aids of up to €30,000 and €50,000 available under Measure One and the Project Development Measure respectively.

A maximum grant of €200,000 and €500,000 is available under Measure Two and Three.
Measure One covers small scale repairs, development or promotion and marketing; the application form for this measure must be submitted to Leitrim County Council by 4pm on Friday July 7, 2023.

A maximum of seven applications may be submitted under this measure per local authority.

The Project Development Measure covers development costs or strategic large-scale projects, with applications needed by 4pm on Friday July 7, 2023.

Two applications can be submitted per local authority under this measure.

Measure Two covers medium scale repairs or upgrades and new trails or amenity development, with applications due for submission by 4pm on Friday September 8, 2023.

A maximum of three applications may be submitted under Measure Two by each local authority.
Measure Three covers strategic large scale repairs or upgrades and new strategic trails or amenity development, with applications due by 4pm on Friday September 8, 2023.

Just one application can be submitted per local authority under Measure Three.

All expressions of interest may be subject to an evaluation process conducted by Leitrim County Council.

Successful applications will be submitted to the Department of Community and Rural Development for consideration of funding.

However, projects selected for submission are not guaranteed funding; the Department will make decisions on what projects are to be funded and notify the Local Authority in due course.

Completed application forms should be emailed to funding@leitrimcoco.ie. Further details on the scheme are available at funding@leitrimcoco.ie or by calling 071 9620005 (ext 527/526).