Ireland

Ireland’s Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) was established in 2017 as the main government body responsible for rural affairs. It oversees the Rural Development Action Plan ‘Our Rural Future 2021-2025’ which includes funding for infrastructure, rural tourism business support, and community projects. 

The DRCD also manages the LEADER Programme, targeting rural economic and social development. It works with local authorities and local development companies to ensure that rural policies are adapted to local needs. This coordination helps to address rural challenges effectively and maintains national coherence in rural development efforts across policies.

Ireland’s rural development policy, ‘Our Rural Future 2021-2025’, is a holistic strategy providing a comprehensive framework for advancing rural areas. Led by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), this policy is implemented through over 150 commitments across government departments, state agencies, and local authorities. It addresses diverse rural needs beyond agriculture, focusing on economic diversification, reversing rural decline, and leveraging technology and digitalisation for growth.

‘Our Rural Future’ complements the National Planning Framework 2040, Ireland's long-term strategic plan for spatial development, which ensures rural development is interconnected with urban growth. 

The policy also encourages alignment with regional and local plans, such as Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs). 

The Irish CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 aligns closely with the broader goals of ‘Our Rural Future 2021-2025', integrating economic, social and environmental objectives to ensure a holistic approach to rural sustainability. 

CAP supports farmers and rural communities through measures such as the Agri-Environment-Climate Measures (AECM) and LEADER programme, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, rural innovation, and community-led development. LEADER complements broader rural policies, ensuring alignment with other funding streams such as the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) while addressing the unique needs and opportunities of rural communities.

 while addressing the unique needs and opportunities of rural communities.

The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) leads efforts at the national level, overseeing policies and programmes aimed at improving economic, social, and cultural life in rural areas. This coordination is reinforced through cross-departmental implementation of the ‘Our Rural Future 2021-2025’ strategy, ensuring that rural issues are addressed across various sectors. 

The Prime Minister’s Office also plays a strategic role in facilitating inter-departmental collaboration in areas such as rural well-being. Sector-specific programmes, such as those related to agriculture and transport, are managed by relevant governmental departments, including the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, and the Department of Transport.  

An Implementation Advisory Group oversees and guides the implementation of ‘Our Rural Future’ strategy. The group's primary function is to ensure that the commitments laid out in the strategy are being met across different government departments and sectors. It acts as a monitoring and coordination body, offering advice and feedback to the DRCD and other stakeholders involved in rural development.

Ireland’s regional governance includes three regional assemblies which address broader regional objectives around economic development and innovation, both of which often involve rural areas. These assemblies are positioned between the national and local levels, and play a critical role in influencing rural policy within the wider context of regional development. 

The three regional assemblies manage the 2021-2027 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Just Transition Fund programmes. While not specifically targeting rural areas, funding from ERDF and the Just Transition Fund partly benefit rural areas. For example, ERDF funding targeting the regeneration of town centres includes projects in small towns and settlements in rural areas, and funding from the Just Transition Fund is contributing to the implementation of parts of Local Economic and Community Plans in the Midlands region.

At the local level, local authorities and Local Action Groups (LAGs) ensure that national and European programmes meet needs on the ground, creating a connection between top-down national strategies and bottom-up community priorities. 

Local authorities develop and execute Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) which include long-term goals for social and economic development, with a strong focus on rural areas. These authorities also play a key role in managing national funding programmes and ensuring that local plans comply with overarching national strategies, such as the National Planning Framework 2040.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), part of Ireland's Rural Development Investment Programme, is managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD). 

The DRCD ensures alignment between the RRDF and other funding schemes within the Rural Development Investment Fund, such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, CLÁR, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and LEADER.

‘Our Rural Future 2021-2025’ includes a commitment to develop an effective rural proofing model in order to ensure the needs of rural communities are considered in the development of government policies. The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), in collaboration with other departments, is tasked with ensuring that rural needs are adequately addressed in national policy through this approach.

A study commissioned by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) provides comprehensive guidelines to monitor the impacts of Ireland’s rural development policies. 

This study identifies a range of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that align with the National Wellbeing Framework and the government’s ‘Our Rural Future’ strategy, designed to track the wellbeing of rural communities. The KPIs will be used to assess the impact of specific rural schemes, such as those supporting remote work, revitalising rural towns, and job creation.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) collects and publishes data that supports rural policymaking, such as demographic trends, employment rates, and socio-economic conditions in rural areas.

The Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) represents local development companies and organises a specific Rural Development Oversight Forum for its members, ensuring that local perspectives are integrated into national policy discussions. 

The Irish Rural Link (IRL) represents rural groups, especially in disadvantaged areas, and is a key voice on the ‘Our Rural Future’ Implementation Advisory Group and lead partner in the National CAP Network.

At the local level, Public Participation Networks (PPNs) connect community groups with local government, allowing rural perspectives to be considered in local economic and community plans. 

The Rural Youth Assembly is a platform that promotes the participation of rural youth in policy debates, including to develop recommendations that the government may consider in future work programmes of the ‘Our Rural Future’ strategy.

National-level consultations, such as the Rural Conversations 2019, offer ad hoc engagement opportunities, though regular participative frameworks are limited.

The Irish Rural Link (IRL) is a national network that supports rural communities in Ireland, particularly those facing social and economic challenges. It provides capacity-building initiatives through training, workshops, and policy advocacy, helping rural actors develop skills in leadership, community development, and social enterprise. 

IRL also facilitates networking by connecting rural stakeholders, including community groups, businesses, and policymakers, ensuring collaborative approaches to rural challenges.  

The national CAP Network brings together a wide array of rural stakeholders, including Local Action Groups (LAGs), businesses, farmers, and community organisations. It facilitates networking, knowledge exchange, and the dissemination of best practices among rural actors.

Its main goal is to support the implementation of Ireland’ CAP Strategic Plan by building capacity among rural communities and promoting collaboration on key rural issues such as climate change, biodiversity, and innovation. 

The Irish Local Development Network is the representative body for Ireland’s local development companies that are responsible for delivering key rural programmes such as LEADER, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), and others. 

The Network supports its members by facilitating cooperation, and providing networking opportunities for stakeholders involved in rural and community development.

Rural Action offers tailored training and education programmes on sustainability, social enterprise, and environmental management, equipping rural stakeholders with essential skills. 

Through mentoring and advisory services, Rural Action provides one-on-one support in leadership, project management, and strategic planning. The organisation also facilitates community-led projects that promote renewable energy, social inclusion, and sustainable economic growth.