Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) 2026/27

Donegal Local Development CLG will administer the 2026/27 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. ORIS is funded under Project Ireland 2040 and is a key initiative of Our Rural Future – Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 and Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2027.

In line with Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, outdoor recreation is defined as activities that take place in the natural environment, such as walking, canoeing, mountain biking, orienteering and wild swimming. It does not include activities that take place outdoors on confined courses or pitches (such as golf, football, and showjumping) or motorised activities (such as quads/scramblers). Therefore, such activities are not eligible for funding under ORIS.  The focus of ORIS is to support outdoor recreational infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland that not only provides an outlet for the communities in which they are situated but also delivers added value from a tourism perspective.

2026/27 ORIS Scheme Measures

Match Funding Requirement: Trail Management Organisations/Community Groups must provide 10% of their overall project costs as match funding.

Donegal Local Development CLG now seeks expressions of interest from Trail Management Organisations (TMOs)/community groups for funding of suitable projects under this initiative. 

Expression of interest forms can be downloaded here

All those submitting an expression of interest form should, in the first instance, familiarise themselves with the following guidelines, particularly regarding their proposal’s eligibility.

ORIS 2026/27 Scheme Outline and Guidance Document

Donegal Local Development CLG can submit a maximum of three Measure 1 projects, one of the Measure 2 projects, and one of the Project Development Measure in accordance with ORIS guidelines. Expressions of interest that Donegal Local Development CLG selects will be further developed with groups into detailed project proposals for consideration under ORIS 2026/27. Please note that the Measure 1 projects submitted by Donegal Local Development CLG  are independent of those submitted by Donegal County Council under the same scheme.  Completed expression of interest forms must be emailed to recreation@dldc.org before the following deadlines;

– Measure 1 – July 30th, 2026

– Measure 2 – October 30th, 2026

– Project Development – July 30th, 2026

Expressions of interest received after this date and time will not be considered for the 2026/27 scheme. All applications must be returned in Word Document format and will be subject to a selection process using National Criteria.  All applications will be subject to a competitive selection process.

To read the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) 2026/27 Outline – please click below