Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State for local government and planning, Alan Dillon have today (Thursday, January 16) announced that €85 million in funding is available through Ireland’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes to restore vacant or derelict heritage buildings in public ownership.
They said this would revitalise urban centres, bringing valued heritage buildings back into use as community assets and deliver on New European Bauhaus and Town Centre First policies.
Ireland’s Regional Assemblies have opened the second call for applications under Strand 2 of THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme – from today, January 16, with awards of up to €7 million available to refurbish, restore, and adapt publicly-owned heritage buildings within town centres.
THRIVE is aimed at empowering local authorities to reimagine and adapt heritage buildings, preserving their historical and cultural significance while creating vibrant and sustainable urban spaces.
Minister O’Brien said: “This funding gives local authorities the tools to bring Ireland’s heritage buildings into the 21st century, not only preserving and protecting these important heritage assets, but also ensuring their sustainable re-use for future generations.
“I look forward to seeing the regeneration benefits that will arise out of this funding and will strengthen the vibrancy of towns and cities throughout Ireland.”
Cathaoirleach of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, Cllr. Jarlath Mullaney, highlighted the transformative potential of the THRIVE scheme: “By addressing vacancy and restoring our heritage buildings, we can turn town centres into vibrant hubs where people want to live, work, and visit.
“This funding represents a key step towards sustainable urban regeneration in our region.”
Funding for heritage buildings
With 100% grant aid available, local authorities are encouraged to act swiftly, as this competitive funding opportunity is expected to generate significant interest nationwide.
Heritage buildings are defined as structures with unique architectural, historical, archaeological, or artistic qualities, or those that hold cultural and economic significance to their locations.
Projects funded under THRIVE are required to embrace the values of the New European Bauhaus, incorporating sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion.
The initiative also encourages a citizen-centred, community-led approach to planning, design, and project selection within the Town Centre First framework.
This scheme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union (EU) through Ireland’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Southern, Eastern and Midlands Regional Programme 2021-2027 and Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.
The scheme has been co-designed by the regional assemblies and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address European, national and regional policy objectives.
The funding call will be managed by the ERDF Managing Authorities – the Southern Regional Assembly and the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.