Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE)
THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27, it aims to allow Local Authorities and citizens to reimagine and revitalise town centres though the renovation and reuse of publicly owned vacant or derelict heritage buildings.
THRIVE is targeted at larger urban settlements – cities, regional growth centres and key towns – and is designed to complement other national funds targeting smaller urban settlements. It is a competitive funding call and with 100% grant aid available.
THRIVE offers 100% grants to local authorities under two strands:
Strand 1 applications relate to:
- Integrated urban strategies and project pipeline development, including for the development and enhancement of integrated urban strategies,
- Identification of projects that promote the conservation and adaptive reuse of our built heritage stock while reducing vacancy and dereliction in town centres,
- Prioritisation, development and specification of project proposals to create a pipeline of investment-ready built heritage refurbishments, renovation and adaptive reuse projects.
Strand 2 applications relate to:
- Renovation and adaptive reuse of vacant or derelict heritage buildings.
- Delivery of selected pilot and pathfinder projects that will have a positive and transformative impact on town centre vacancy and dereliction and that will inform the approach for other towns at earlier stages in the process.
Successful applicants shall integrate the three core values of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) – Beautiful, Sustainable and Together – into project activities and outputs.
- Beautiful means looking beyond functionality and recognising the inspirational power of aesthetic and design in the human experience. A well-designed built environment cultivates a sense of place, identity and cultural expression, evoking emotions and connecting individuals and communities.
- Sustainable means integrating nature-based solutions, energy efficient technologies, renewable energy, circular methodologies throughout the building life cycle, addressing the climate goals, carbon neutrality and preserving the biodiversity on the planet. It is about creating positive a relationship with the nature.
- Together means that no one will be left behind. The future of the built environment needs to be shaped by all of us, regardless of the background or abilities. Participatory approaches strive to acknowledge diverse perspectives ensuring a sense of belonging, social cohesion, and well-being for all. Spaces designed for all and by all, that are accessible and affordable.
Louth County Council were awarded funding of €200,000 under the THRIVE scheme (Strand1), this funding will support the development of an Integrated Urban Strategy for the West Street area of Drogheda Town Centre. The Council has been engaging with key stakeholders and there will also be a number of public consultation meetings. The THRIVE Strand 2 call for applications is expected to open early in 2025. Louth County Council is working towards submitting an application for the delivery of the project under that call.
Further information is available on the website of the Southern Regional Assembly at www.southernassembly.ie.
