Cork County Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from countywide community, business, and development groups for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2022, aimed at rural regeneration.

Recently announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, this year’s scheme will place particular emphasis on projects which support bringing vacant or derelict buildings and sites back into use as multi-purpose community spaces.

The types of projects that may be considered include:

Encouraging submissions from the community, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan said:

"Spaces where we can come together to learn, exercise, enjoy the arts or to simply share a story are an integral part of every community.

"I would encourage any interested groups that have an idea for repurposing a vacant site or building for the good of their community to please consider putting forward your ideas," she added.

Welcoming the announcement, chief executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey said:

“Cork County Council has seen many successful projects developed under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

"We welcome submissions from the community for potential projects that will address the issues of vacancy and encourage the revitalisation of our town and village thoroughfares.”

The Expression of Interest form should be emailed to: [email protected] or returned to the relevant Municipal District Office no later than 4:00p.m on July 1, 2022.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is an initiative under the Action Plan for Rural Development.

It is part of a range of measures to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland under the government’s Project Ireland 2040 – Our Rural Future – Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025.