124 towns and villages will benefit from a new €7 million fund to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts under the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, made the announcement earlier today (Monday, August 23rd, 2021).
Streetscape Enhancement Initiative
The Streetscape Enhancement Initiative, a key part of Our Rural Future, is designed to make rural towns and villages “more attractive places to live, work and visit”.
Under the scheme, property owners can avail of funding to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork and install features
The 124 towns and villages the minister announced today were selected by each local authority. It will now begin the process of advertising locally for applications.
The types of projects to be supported include:
- Strategic collaboration between property owners to paint buildings or shopfronts in vibrant colours
- Commissioning of murals in towns and villages
- Upgrade or restoration of historic/traditional shopfronts
- Provision of street planting, shrubbery, trees and flowers boxes
- Illumination and lighting of architectural features
- Installation of canopies and street furniture
- Decluttering of streetscapes with the removal of unnecessary signs/wires
More attractive places to work and live
Minister Humphreys encouraged business and property owners in any of the towns and villages selected to contact their local authority for information on how to apply.
Announcing the 124 towns and villages today, Minister Humphreys said:
“This unique initiative is about making our rural towns and villages more attractive and welcoming places for locals and visitors alike.
“Whether it is painting buildings in vibrant colours, upgrading shop fronts or installing canopies or street furniture – this fund will provide a welcome boost to rural communities the length and breadth of the country.
“We all know that even the most modest of improvements to our buildings and streetscapes can make a huge difference.
“And so over the coming weeks, local authorities will work closely with businesses and property owners to give our towns and villages the facelift they deserve.”
Reimaging and revitalising rural communities
She said she launched the government’s new rural policy, ‘Our Rural Future, to “reimagine and revitalise” rural communities.
The minister added that this initiative is a key part of realising that goal. “I am really looking forward to seeing the sort of proposals that are put forward over the coming weeks.”
“If you are a business or property owner in any of the 124 towns and villages selected, I encourage you to contact your local authority for details on how to apply.
“I have no doubt the projects funded this initiative will make a huge difference to our rural towns and villages and, most importantly, the families who live there.”
