The first ever Town Team Support Fund will provide €10,000 funding each to 68 towns across Ireland, it was announced this week.
The funds will be used to support communities in establishing Town Teams, or developing them in areas where they are not already well established.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys said: “This is all about tackling vacancy, combatting dereliction and breathing new life into our town centres.
“Through this initiative, we are recognising the importance of having vibrant towns, which are places to live in, work in, visit, and raise a family in.
“Town teams are key to rural regeneration and I am delighted that this funding will support the development of these teams and the creation of teams where they currently don’t exist.
“Amongst other things, these Town Teams play a vital role in helping communities access the wide range of funding available from my Department under various schemes”
The projects will be managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development-funded Town Regeneration Officers across the country.
The funding follows on from the recent announcement of €780,000, which will support the development of a Town Centre First Plan in a further 26 towns. These plans represent the communities’ own visions for the future of their towns.
A Town Team is a group of local residents, business people, community representatives and other stakeholders who come together to make their area a better place to live, work, visit and invest. The team members represent diverse sectors and backgrounds.
To find out more about the Town Centre First policy, the Town Centre First Suite of Supports 2024 and how towns can become involved, visit www.towncentrefirst.ie.
