What is ORIS?
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding to create, develop and maintain outdoor recreational facilities in rural areas. The RRO can help to guide community groups through the application process.
The scheme recognises the importance of active healthy lifestyles and supports activities like walking, trekking, cycling, kayaking and hiking. The scheme helps to develop economic and tourism potential in rural areas, and it funds facilities that benefit both local communities and tourist visitors.
Please note MID is no longer accepting applications for the 2026/2027 scheme. The deadline for Expressions of Interest was Friday 28 August 2026.
Who can apply?
Local community and voluntary groups can submit proposals for consideration. Projects led by commercial businesses are not considered.
As of 2026, MID can now also submit one application for Measure 2 Funding of up to €200,000 for medium-scale development projects.
The deadline for Measure 2 Projects is 15 December 2026 and projects must be completed within 24 months.
What can the funding be used for?
ORIS is designed to support recreational activities that take place outdoors in the natural environment in a rural location.
The projects that receive funding under this scheme must align with Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, Ireland’s national outdoor recreation strategy developed with Comhairle na Tuaithe (the Countryside Council).
Activities that take place in confined courses or pitches (like golf or showjumping) are not supported. Motorised activities (like riding scrambler bikes) are also not considered.
The projects must be located in predominantly rural areas. Projects located within the boundaries of the five main cities (Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford) are not considered.
Projects typically funded by ORIS include walking trails, blueways, water and cycle trails, mountain paths, bridleways, and open water amenities at bogs, rivers, lakes and beaches.
Priorities
- Re: trails and cycleways, the scheme will give equal priority to maintenance/upgrades of existing trails and to new development.
- Projects which position rural areas to avail of economic opportunities and add value to the tourism sector are encouraged.
- Projects with a focus on inclusivity that result in improved access to recreational facilities for those with disabilities and older people are actively encouraged.
- The scheme will prioritise projects which have evidence of strong community engagement.
- The scheme will prioritise joint applications for projects of scale from two or more local authorities/local development companies working together.
- Projects should demonstrate engagement with the local Heritage Officer and Biodiversity Officer (where applicable) as well as the county Rural Recreation Officer, Outdoor Recreation Officer and/or Town Regeneration Officer as appropriate.
- The 2026/2027 scheme includes a new approach to address specific recreation needs whereby local authorities will be entitled to submit one additional PDM to the value of €50,000 for the development of equestrian trails.
- Where a local authority has a Gaeltacht area and/or an offshore Island, they will be permitted to submit one additional Measure 1 application up to the value of €40,000
How much is available?
This is a match-funding scheme, so it does not cover 100% of the costs of the project. Up to 90% of a project’s costs can be funded be the scheme. The remaining 10% of the costs must come from other sources.
Funding is available under four streams:
- Measure 1 is for small scale projects requiring funding of up to €40,000
- Measure 2 is for medium scale projects with funding of up to €200,000
- Measure 3 is for large scale projects seeking funding of up to €500,000
- Project Development Measure funds development costs for strategic large-scale projects*
Monaghan Integrated Development and the RRO can assist with Project Development Measure, Measure 1, or Measure 2 applications.
*As a local development company, MID can only submit a maximum of 3 applications under the Project Development Measure with a combined total of €70,000.
How are applications assessed?
Projects are selected for funding in a competitive process that assesses how well each application meets the aims of the scheme. The final project selection is made by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, in consultation with Fáilte Ireland and Sport Ireland as appropriate.
How to apply?
There is a limited window for applications each year. Once the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht makes an announcement, MID will put out a callout for expressions of interest. We will post details on our website and on social media advising what kind of projects will be prioritised in the year ahead, and how the proposals will be assessed. We will provide instructions for submitting an application.
Deadline for Expressions of Interest:
- Friday August 28th 2026
Deadline for Applications for 2026:
- Measure 1: September 25th
- Measure 2: December 15th
- Measure 3: December 15th
- Project Development Measure: September 25th
What Does The Application Form Look Like?
Have a look at the application forms to get a sense of what kind of groundwork you’ll need to do to put together a strong proposal.
ORIS - Project Development Measure
Loading PDF...
ORIS - Measure 1
Loading PDF...
ORIS - Measure 2/3
Loading PDF...
Contact Us
If you’re not sure, we can help you to decide which Measure funding to apply for and offer advice about how to source match funding for your project.
Contact us at 042 9749500 or info@midl.ie for guidance.
Rural Recreation Officer: zdoody@midl.ie
