Colour Carlow – Street Enhancement Scheme is a new scheme which provides up to €220,000 for the rural communities in Bagenalstown , Tullow , Rathvilly & Leighlinbridge. The aim of the project is to improve the visual appearance of our urban streetscapes and increase pride and confidence in our home towns and villages, making them more attractive places to live, work and do business. The project is funded under Our Rural Future which is the Government’s five year strategy to revitalise rural Ireland and includes a commitment to upgrade and enhance shopfronts and street facades in our rural towns and villages.
Eligible Premises
Commercial, residential or unoccupied buildings in town/village centre locations.
Eligible Towns & Villages
· Tullow
· Bagenalstown
· Rathvilly
· Leighlinbridge
Grant Funding Levels:
Grant funding will be provided at the following rates:
• 70% of eligible expenditure for Individual premises
• 80% of eligible expenditure for Joint applications (groups of 3 or more adjacent premise)
• 100% of eligible expenditure where painting is undertaken by direct labour by applicant
Key Dates
· 11th August 2021 – Scheme Open for Applications
· 10th September 2021 – Closing Date for Applications
· 21st September 2021 – Submission of Budget & Applications to Department
· 29th October 2021 – Works Completed & Drawdown Submitted to Carlow County Council
Application Clinics & Support
An Application Clinic will be held in each location as follows:
· 23rd August 2021 – Application Clinic – Tullow – 2.00pm-3.30pm*
· 23rd August 2021 – Application Clinic – Rathvilly – 4.00pm-5.30pm*
· 24th August 2021 – Application Clinic - Leighlinbridge – 2.00pm-3.30pm*
· 24th August 2021 – Application Clinic & Visit – Bagenalstown 4.00pm-5.30pm*
*Application clinics will be arranged with the key community contacts in the area if you wish to meet the project support team please e-mail
enterprise@carlowcoco.ie for an appointment.
To compliment this an application briefing for community groups will be hosted as follows:
· 31st August 2021 – Community Group Briefing – 7.00pm (Zoom)
Queries in respect of the scheme should be addressed to Linda Neville , Grants Administrator or Helen Ryan , Economic Development Officer on
enterprise@carlowcoco.ie or by calling 059/9129783.
Application Process
Application can only be accepted via Submit.com and 1 application per premises is required.
Eligible Works
Description of Eligible Expenditure
Grant Limit Per Premises
- Green enhancement of entrances/ terraces with planting. Up to €500 per premises
- Painting of building/shopfront in carefully selected colours which will complement the host building and streetscape. Up to €1,500 per premises
- Decluttering and repair of shopfronts. (Decluttering can include such works as removing unnecessary signs, flagpoles,wiring etc.). Up to €2,000 per premises.
- Careful illumination and lighting of architectural features of buildings. Improvements to shopfront window displays and staging. Replacement of signage with traditional wooden fascia with wooden/hand painted lettering OR contemporary design. Canopies/Awnings complementary to the materials of the shopfront and building (including street furniture). Replacement of existing shopfront with traditional painted wooden shopfront OR contemporary design. Up to €4,000 per premises.
Evaluation
All applications will be evaluated on the basis of information presented and the scheme focus. Please note incomplete applications will not be considered. Please ensure that all documents are uploaded for the scheme including quotes and materials to support the application. Any queries please contact any member of the application team.