Smart Village Strategies 2026: Supporting Rural Communities to Shape the Future of County Cavan

Cavan County Local Development (CCLD), on behalf of the Cavan LEADER Local Action Group (LAG), is inviting communities across County Cavan to participate in an exciting new opportunity through the LEADER 2023-2027 Programme.

The Smart Village Strategies 2026 Call for Proposals aims to help rural communities identify local challenges, develop practical solutions, and create a shared vision for a stronger, more sustainable future.

This initiative forms part of the European Union's Smart Villages policy framework and reflects the LEADER approach of empowering communities to drive development from the ground up.

What is a Smart Village?

A Smart Village is a rural community that uses its local strengths, resources, knowledge and partnerships to improve quality of life and address local challenges.

While technology can play a role, Smart Villages are fundamentally about people and communities working together to create positive change.

Areas commonly addressed through Smart Village initiatives include:

• Social inclusion

• Access to services

• Economic opportunities

• Digital and physical connectivity

• Climate action and environmental sustainability

The focus is on local leadership, community participation and practical solutions that respond to the needs of residents.

Why Smart Village Strategies Matter

Every community has unique strengths and challenges. A Smart Village Strategy provides a structured way to identify what matters most locally and develop a plan for future action.

Developed through consultation with local people, a Smart Village Strategy can help communities:

• Identify key challenges and opportunities

• Map existing resources and assets

• Prioritise projects and initiatives

• Build community ownership and participation

• Create a roadmap for long-term sustainability

• Position communities to access future LEADER investment

Importantly, LEADER funding can support not only the preparation of these Strategies but also future projects that emerge from them.

Supporting Community-Led Development in County Cavan

Through this call, CCLD and the Cavan LEADER Local Action Group aim to:

• Support the development of high-quality, community-owned Smart Village Strategies

• Ensure future LEADER investment reflects local priorities

• Strengthen rural communities socially, economically and environmentally

• Contribute to national and European Smart Villages objectives

This approach places local people at the centre of decision-making and encourages collaboration between residents, community organisations, businesses and local stakeholders.

Who Can Apply?

Expressions of Interest are welcome from:

• Community groups

• Voluntary organisations

• Town and village committees

• Cooperatives

• Partnerships of local stakeholders

Applications must be submitted through Cavan County Local Development, the Implementing Partner for the Cavan LEADER Local Action Group.

What Activities Can Be Funded?

Funding may be used to support activities such as:

• Community consultation and engagement

• Surveys, workshops and public meetings

• Research and analysis of local needs

• Professional facilitation

• Strategy development and report writing

• Stakeholder networking and collaboration

• Action planning and project prioritisation

The goal is to ensure communities have the resources needed to create robust, evidence-based plans for their future development.

Funding Available

The Smart Village Strategies Call includes:

• Maximum grant: Up to €15,000 per Strategy (subject to approval)

• Grant rate: Up to 90% of eligible costs

• Match funding required: 10%

• Overall call budget: €120,000

This investment will support multiple communities throughout County Cavan in developing community-led plans that can shape future local development initiatives.

Key Dates

Communities interested in taking part should note the following timeline:

Expressions of Interest

• Advertisement of Call: Week beginning 31 August 2026

• Open for Receipt of EOIs: 3 September to 5 October 2026

• Eligibility Review: 6 October to 9 October 2026

• Ineligible EOIs Presented to LAG: 28 October 2026

Application Stage

• Support Meeting for Eligible EOIs and Applications Open: 4 November 2026

• Closing Date for Applications: 3pm, Tuesday 26 January 2027

• Evaluation Meeting Presentations: 3 March 2027

• Final Decision by LAG: 31 March 2027

An Opportunity to Shape Your Community's Future

The Smart Village approach recognises that local people understand their communities better than anyone else. By bringing people together around a shared vision, communities can identify practical solutions that improve quality of life, strengthen local resilience, and create opportunities for future generations.

Whether your community aims to improve services, develop local amenities, strengthen sustainability initiatives, increase participation, or build economic opportunities, a Smart Village Strategy can help turn ideas into action.

CCLD encourages community groups across County Cavan to explore this opportunity and begin conversations about the future they want to create together.

Find Out More

For further information about the Smart Village Strategies 2026 Call for Proposals, contact:

LEADER Team

Cavan County Local Development (CCLD)

6A Corlurgan Business Park

Ballinagh Road

Cavan, Co. Cavan, H12 DP86

Telephone: 049 433 1029 (Extension 3 for LEADER)

Email: leader@ccld.ie

Website: https://www.ccld.ie