Waterford Leader Partnership Clg. will administer the 2024/2025 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) funded by the Department of Rural & Community Development. ORIS is funded under Project Ireland 2040 and is a key initiative of Our Rural Future – Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 and Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2027.
In line with Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, outdoor recreation is defined as activities that take place in the natural environment, such as walking, canoeing, mountain biking, orienteering and wild swimming. It does not include activities that take place outdoors on confined courses or pitches (such as golf, football, and showjumping) or motorised activities (such as quads/scramblers). Therefore, such activities are not eligible for funding under ORIS.
The focus of ORIS is to support outdoor recreational infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland that not only provides an outlet for the communities in which they are situated but also delivers added value from a tourism perspective.
2024/2025 ORIS Scheme Measure 1
Measure | Description | Grant Amount |
Measure 1 | Small Scale Repair/Development/Promotion and Marketing |
Up to €40,000
|
Match Funding Requirement: Trail Management Organisations/Community Groups must provide 10% of their overall project costs as match funding.
Waterford Leader Partnership CLG now seeks expressions of interest from Trail Management Organisations (TMOs)/community groups for funding of suitable projects under this initiative. Expression of interest forms can be downloaded ORIS EOI Form WLP 2024 or obtained by e-mailing niamh.mcguinness@wlp.ie.
All those submitting an expression of interest form should, in the first instance make themselves aware of the scheme outlines and guidelines available ORIS 2024 Outline WLP, particularly regarding their proposal’s eligibility.
Completed expression of interest forms must be emailed to niamh.mcguinness@wlp.ie before 5.00pm Friday 22nd November 2024. Expressions of interest received after this date and time will not be considered for the 2024/2025 scheme. All applications will be subject to a selection process using National Criteria.
Waterford Leader Partnership CLG can submit a maximum of three Measure 1 projects, in accordance with ORIS guidelines. Expressions of interest that are selected by Waterford Leader Partnership will be further developed with groups into detailed project proposals for consideration under ORIS 2024/2025. Please note that the Measure 1 projects submitted by Waterford Leader Partnership are independent from those submitted by Waterford City and County Council under the same scheme.