On 16 January 2025, Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister Alan Dillon announced that €60 million in funding is available through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Southern Eastern and Midland Regional Programme to restore vacant or derelict heritage buildings in public ownership; revitalising urban centres, bringing valued heritage buildings back into use as community assets and delivering on New European Bauhaus and Town Centre First policies.

Building on the success of the initial funding round in 2024, the Southern Regional Assembly is pleased to open the second call for applications under Strand 2 of THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme – from 16th January 2025 with awards of up to €7 million available to refurbish, restore, and adapt publicly owned heritage buildings within town centres.

THRIVE empowers local authorities to reimagine and adapt heritage buildings, preserving their historical and cultural significance while creating vibrant and sustainable urban spaces.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, said:
“I very much welcome the launch of the new €85 million THRIVE call under the ERDF Regional Programmes. 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.”

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD, said:
“The THRIVE scheme underscores our commitment to tackling vacancy, promoting heritage-led regeneration, and delivering on the Town Centre First policy. The Town Centre First approach ensures that local authorities are engaged with their citizens in developing new plans to transform and celebrate these underutilised heritage buildings for the benefit of their communities, while breathing new life into towns and urban centres across the country”.

Cathaoirleach of the Southern Regional Assembly, Cllr Garret Kelleher, said:
“THRIVE offers a unique opportunity to enhance the quality of life in our communities by preserving the architectural and cultural heritage of our towns. By focusing on publicly owned buildings, this scheme ensures that restored spaces serve the needs of local citizens while respecting the principles of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion.”

With 100% grant aid available, local authorities are encouraged to act swiftly, as this competitive funding opportunity promises 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.

THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midlands Regional Programme 21-27. 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 Authority the Southern Regional Assembly. Application guidelines and eligibility criteria are available on their respective websites at www.southernassembly.ie and www.nwra.ie.